Analysis of China's Platinum and Palladium Import Market in H1 2026 In H1 2026, China's imports of platinum and palladium showed divergent trends. Imports of unwrought platinum and platinum powder continued steady growth, up about 17.8% YoY cumulatively in H1, while imports of unwrought palladium and palladium powder surged, up 116% YoY cumulatively in H1. Overall, imports of platinum group metals maintained resilience, driven by industrial demand from glass fiber and hydrogen energy, while the surge in palladium imports was closely tied to factors including a low base, arbitrage on the price spread between Chinese and overseas markets, and a policy window for Russian palladium trade. H2 trends will depend on global mine supply, changes in automotive and new energy demand, the ongoing impact of international geopolitics on Russian palladium trade, and arbitrage opportunities between Chinese and overseas markets. June Imports of Unwrought Platinum and Platinum Powder Up 2.5% MoM H1 Cumulative Imports Up 17.8% YoY In June 2026, China's imports of unwrought platinum and platinum powder were 10.67 mt, up 2.5% MoM and up 27.9% YoY; H1 cumulative imports were 48.18 mt, up 17.8% YoY. In terms of trade mode, imports of unwrought platinum were mainly via Ordinary Trade, accounting for over 90%. By source, South Africa remained the top supplier, followed by Russia, Zimbabwe, etc. As the world's largest platinum producer, South Africa's mine supply situation significantly impacts China's imports. Since 2026, power shortages in South Africa have eased somewhat and mine expansions have advanced, but aging mines and insufficient capital expenditure still constrain supply elasticity, keeping overall supply rigid. On the demand side, the main reasons supporting the growth in platinum imports were strong demand from the glass and glass fiber industry, where platinum demand surged 83% YoY to 12 mt, driving overall industrial demand up 9% YoY; and the continued expansion of platinum demand from the hydrogen energy and fuel cell industry, with PEM electrolyzers, fuel cell vehicles, etc. becoming core growth drivers. In H1 2026, platinum prices were under pressure and consolidating overall. Affected by the US Fed's hawkish stance, a stronger US dollar index, and concerns over global economic growth, the most-traded NYMEX platinum futures contract fluctuated in the $1,930–2,070/oz range in late May, while the most-traded GFEX platinum futures contract consolidated around 485 yuan/g. High and volatile prices led to strong wait-and-see sentiment among downstream consumers, sluggish spot trading, and a phased slowdown in the pace of imports. H2, as global platinum inventories continue to destock and electronics & hydrogen energy projects accelerate, China's platinum imports are expected to maintain mild growth, though caution is needed regarding the suppression of industrial demand by a macroeconomic downturn. June Imports of Unwrought Palladium and Palladium Powder Up 17.6% MoM H1 Cumulative Imports Double YoY In June 2026, China's imports of unwrought palladium and palladium powder were 4.75 mt, up 17.6% MoM and up 114% YoY; H1 cumulative imports were 26.97 mt, up 116% YoY. By trade mode, unwrought palladium imports were also dominated by Ordinary Trade. By import source, Russia and South Africa were the main suppliers. According to China Customs sub-item data for May 2026, China imported 1.93 mt of palladium from Russia and 1.89 mt from South Africa that month, with the two countries together accounting for over 85%. The sharp surge in palladium imports was mainly driven by: first, a low base in the year-ago period – monthly palladium imports in H1 2025 mostly ranged between 1 and 3 mt, creating a significant low base effect; second, in March–April 2026, with the US Commerce Department’s final anti-dumping determination on Russian unwrought palladium approaching, some traders rushed to import Russian palladium ahead of the final USITC ruling and tariff implementation, and China’s palladium imports in April hit a multi-year monthly record; third, substantial import arbitrage opportunities emerged in Q1, and arbitrage players locked in overseas supplies through import channels and sold on the futures market, leading to heavy warrant generation and boosting domestic spot palladium supply. Yet the palladium market is still under fundamental pressure. Globally, automotive catalysts account for as much as 83% of palladium consumption, while vehicle electrification continues to exert long-term pressure on gasoline-vehicle catalyst demand. Palladium’s core demand faces structural contraction risks, and mounting global growth concerns may push palladium into a structural surplus cycle. On the supply side in May 2026, Nornickel’s platinum and palladium production fell sharply in Q1 due to western sanctions, which provided some support to palladium’s price floor but was insufficient to reverse the weak demand landscape. Looking to H2, as the impact of the USITC final ruling is gradually digested and earlier concentrated cargo arrivals are absorbed by the market, palladium imports are expected to pull back from the high levels seen in Q2. For the full year, palladium imports will still maintain relatively high YoY growth, but are likely to pull back MoM in H2. H2 Outlook Overall, China’s platinum and palladium imports in H1 2026 showed a pattern of “stable platinum, strong palladium.” Platinum imports stayed resilient, supported by demand from glass fiber and hydrogen energy, and are expected to maintain mild growth in H2; palladium imports surged sharply on the back of the trade policy window and price spreads between Chinese and overseas markets, but growth is likely to slow marginally in H2 as the policy impact fades and structural demand-side pressures emerge. The following factors warrant close attention in H2: 1. Mine supply: the impact of South Africa’s electricity situation and mine capital expenditure on platinum supply, and the effect of changes in Nornickel’s output on palladium supply; 2. Trade policy: the impact of the anti-dumping case and sanctions on Russian palladium on the pace of China’s palladium imports; 3. End-use demand: the boost to real platinum and palladium demand from domestic vehicle production and sales, the implementation of hydrogen energy projects, and technology roadmap shifts in the glass and glass fiber industries; 4. Price spreads and the futures market: the influence of price spreads between Chinese and overseas markets and GFEX platinum and palladium futures delivery conditions on the import window.

Recently, the 500 kV transmission project of the Chifeng 1 GW Desert Wind-Solar-Storage Base, built with the participation of CEEC North China Electric Power Engineering Institute, was commissioned. Rooted in the new energy strategic layout of eastern Inner Mongolia, the Chifeng 1 GW Desert Wind-Solar-Storage Base project is a controlling, critical, and supporting backbone project for optimizing the regional power grid structure, breaking the bottleneck in green electricity consumption, and consolidating energy supply capacity. North China Institute is responsible for the EPC contract of the project’s 200 kV/500 kV collection station and the supporting 150 MW/300 MWh ESS. The commissioning of this project has opened a key corridor for delivering GW-level green electricity from Chifeng, enabling the transmission of approximately 2 billion kWh of clean electricity annually. It will effectively enhance the regional power grid’s dispatch capacity and resource complementarity.

Recently, Chint Green Energy, in collaboration with renowned Australian system integrator DS Energy, successfully completed the full construction and grid connection of a PV project at the Mercy Community Residential Aged Care facility. As another notable achievement of Chint Green Energy focusing on the distributed PV sector in the Australian market, this project not only significantly reduces the operational costs of aged care facilities through clean electricity, but also demonstrates, through tangible emission reductions, the infinite possibilities of deep integration between green energy and social well-being.

[SMM Aluminum Express] On July 18, the Chenfeng Carbon Green and Energy-Saving Integrated Project of Qiya Xinjiang Group achieved another critical construction breakthrough as its core baking workshop successfully completed equipment installation and officially entered the full-line interlocking commissioning phase. This milestone, following the trial production at the assembly workshop on June 15, means that the project’s entire production process has been fully integrated, bringing it one step closer to formal commissioning. The project is a core supporting initiative for Qiya Xinjiang Group to complete the “coal – electricity – aluminum – carbon” integrated industry chain. Located in the Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone in Changji, Xinjiang, it is planned to produce 200kt of prebaked anodes annually, aiming to supply high-quality prebaked anodes for the group’s internal aluminum production, thereby ensuring self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on external procurement and logistics costs.

SMM, July 23: To deepen exchanges within the lead and zinc industry, facilitate information channels, and accurately capture zinc industry development trends and market movements, on July 22, a team from SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), including copper-lead-zinc senior analyst Geng Zhiyao and zinc senior analyst Li Hanyu, visited Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. for an exchange meeting and were warmly received by relevant company leaders. During the meeting, relevant personnel from Luoping Zinc & Electricity introduced the company's operational status, industry chain layout, and medium and long-term strategic plans to the SMM team. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including domestic zinc raw material supply, smelting cost changes, zinc product market trends, downstream demand trajectories, comprehensive recovery of associated rare and precious metals, and the development direction of green smelting. Leveraging SMM's industry database, SMM analysts shared supply-demand analyses for the zinc market, price dynamics, and potential industry opportunities, and exchanged views with the company on challenges in industrial development. Luoping Zinc & Electricity, drawing on its own strengths in hydropower integration, mine resources, and integrated smelting and deep processing, outlined its advancement approaches in resource expansion, technological R&D, and extension into new materials. This visit established a bridge for industry information sharing. In the future, both parties will maintain regular communication and exchanges, continuously collaborate to explore paths of industrial synergy, and jointly promote the steady and high-quality development of the zinc industry. About Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. was established in 2000 and listed on the main board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2007 (stock code 002114). Its largest shareholder is Qujing Development and Investment Group, holding a 22.3960% stake, and the actual controller is the Qujing Municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Key Assets: It encompasses three core resource sectors: minerals, hydropower, and zinc smelting, housing production units such as the Fule Lead-Zinc Mine, Lazhuang Power Plant, zinc smelter, comprehensive utilization plant, and ultrafine zinc powder plant. The company boasts an integrated capacity of processing 100,000 mt of raw ore annually, producing 120,000 mt of electrolytic zinc, 140,000 mt of sulphuric acid, 12,000 mt of ultrafine zinc powder, and generating 250 million kWh of electricity per year, with an annual output value exceeding 2 billion yuan. This forms a complete industry chain of "power generation — mining — smelting — rare and precious metals recovery — new materials." Coupled with its self-contained hydropower energy loop, this creates a unique core competitive advantage, positioning the company as a leader in the non-ferrous metal smelting sector in Southwest China. Main Businesses: Hydropower generation, mining of non-ferrous metals such as lead and zinc, zinc smelting, and production and sale of extended products. The products include zinc sulfide concentrates, lead concentrates, zinc ingot, industrial sulphuric acid, cadmium, ultrafine zinc powder, germanium concentrates, silver concentrates, copper concentrates, zinc alloy, industrial and residential electricity, and edible rapeseed oil. The company has successively received honors such as “Contract-honoring and Credit-worthy Enterprise” at provincial and municipal levels, “Key Industrial Enterprise of Qujing City”, National Intellectual Property Advantage Enterprise, High-tech Enterprise, and National Laboratory Accreditation Certificate. Strategic Development: In terms of hydropower resource development, first, it invested in and participated in the construction of the Luoping County Laodukou Hydropower Station with an installed capacity of 37,500 kW, holding 37% equity; second, it invested in and participated in the construction of the Laojiāngdǐ Hydropower Station in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province, with an installed capacity of 100,000 kW, holding 33% equity. In terms of lead-zinc mine development, first, it invested in and participated in the development of the Jinsha Lead-zinc Mine in Yongshan County, holding 23.2% equity. Second, through a private placement of shares, it completed the overall acquisition of Puding County Xiangrong Mining, Derong Mining, and Hongtai Mining Co., Ltd. under Guizhou Fanhua Mining Group Co., Ltd., gaining control of the mine assets held by the three companies. In terms of business development, first, it acquired the sulphuric acid plant of the former Luoping County Zinc Electric Company. Second, it built a rapeseed oil production line with a capacity of 10,000 mt per year. Third, it established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Yunnan Luoping Zinc Electric New Materials Co., Ltd., to extend the industry chain through zinc alloy products. Technological Innovation: The company holds 78 patents. Among them, the comprehensive treatment and recovery of valuable metals from high-iron, low-germanium zinc oxide calcine and zinc sulfite is at an industry-leading level. SMM Contact: Geng Zhiyao Tel: 13818541149

SMM July 23 News: Metal markets: As of the midday close, base metals on the domestic market generally rose. SHFE copper edged down, while SHFE aluminum rose 0.45%. SHFE lead rose 1.02%. SHFE zinc rose 1.47%. SHFE tin rose 0.27%. SHFE nickel rose 1.05%. In addition, the most-traded foundry aluminum futures contract rose 0.5%, while the most-traded alumina contract fell 0.66%. The most-traded lithium carbonate contract rose 4.24%. The most-traded silicon metal contract rose 0.67%. The most-traded polysilicon futures contract rose 0.51%. Ferrous metals all rose. Iron ore rose 1.15%, rebar rose 0.52%, and HRC rose 0.46%. Stainless steel rose 0.61%. Coking coal and coke: the most-traded coking coal contract rose 1.3%, and the most-traded coke contract rose 1.4%. Overseas base metals: As of 11:39 AM, LME metals all rose. LME copper rose 0.27%, LME aluminum rose 0.17%, LME lead rose 0.42%, LME zinc rose 0.75%, and LME tin edged up. LME nickel rose 0.58%. Precious metals: As of 11:39 AM, COMEX gold fell 0.46%, and COMEX silver fell 0.3%. Domestic precious metals: SHFE gold rose 0.86%; the most-traded SHFE silver contract rose 1.55%. In addition, as of midday close, the most-traded platinum futures contract fell 0.1%, and the most-traded palladium futures contract fell 0.38%. As of midday close, the most-traded containerized freight index (Europe route) contract rose 0.92% to 2,855 points. Selected futures midday prices as of 11:39 AM, July 23: Spot and Fundamentals Silver: Amid recurring geopolitical risks, silver prices are consolidating around steady levels. End-of-month willingness to sell from smelters is strong, spot transactions are near parity, and overall demand remains weak... Macro Front China: [The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration issued the Renewable Energy Development 15th Five-Year Plan] The plan states that by 2030, total renewable energy consumption is expected to reach approximately 1.8 billion mt of standard coal equivalent. By 2030, total installed renewable energy power generation capacity is expected to reach approximately 3.5 billion kW, with annual power generation of approximately 6 trillion kWh; total installed wind and solar power capacity is expected to exceed 2.8 billion kW, accounting for over 50% of total capacity, with annual power generation exceeding 4 trillion kWh and accounting for 30% of total generation. By 2030, the scale of non-electricity renewable energy utilization is expected to grow 1.5 times compared to 2025, equivalent to approximately 150 million mt of standard coal. By 2030, the average firm output of wind and solar PV (including source-side energy storage) nationwide is expected to reach 8% (around 11% for wind and 6% for PV), with wind and solar PV (including source-side energy storage) accounting for over 20% of electricity during the evening peak of summer and winter demand, an increase of approximately 10 percentage points. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, over 300 million kW of new reliable peak-shaving renewable energy capacity will be added. (from Wall Street News APP) [Beijing Expands Subsidized Products for the 2026 Consumer Goods Trade-in Program] The Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau issued an announcement on expanding the list of subsidized products for the 2026 consumer goods trade-in program. After obtaining filing confirmation from the Ministry of Commerce, ten additional product categories will be included in the subsidy program. The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows: Subsidies will be provided to individual consumers in Beijing purchasing the following ten categories of products: smart door locks, smart cameras, smart robot vacuums (including smart floor scrubbers and smart vacuum cleaners), smart toilets (including smart toilet seat covers), digital cameras (including action cameras), smart earphones, whole-house smart hosts (including smart home servers and smart gateways), smart beds (including smart mattresses), smart electric wheelchairs, and embodied AI robots (including companion robots, robotic dogs, exoskeleton robots, and elderly care robots). For individual consumers purchasing the above smart home products (including elderly-friendly home products), the subsidy standard is 15% of the final selling price after all discounts, with each person eligible for one subsidized item per category, and the subsidy per item capped at 1,500 yuan. (from Wall Street News APP) [Guangdong: Industrial Robot Production Up 34.2% YoY in H1] According to the Guangdong Statistics Information Network, in H1, the value-added of industrial enterprises above designated size in the province increased by 5.8% YoY. By sector, the value-added of the mining sector was up 8.8% YoY, manufacturing up 5.4%, and power, heat, gas, and water supply up 8.9%. By industry, the value-added of the computer, communication, and other electronic equipment manufacturing industry was up 11.6% YoY, electrical machinery and equipment up 4.2%, and automobile manufacturing up 9.9%. By product, industrial robot production was up 34.2% YoY, and integrated circuits up 29.7%. (from Wall Street News APP) [PBOC Net Drains 422 Billion Yuan from Open Market Today] The PBOC conducted 204 billion yuan of 7-day reverse repo operations today at an interest rate of 1.4%, unchanged from the previous operation. A total of 626 billion yuan of reverse repos matured today. US Dollar: As of 11:39, the US dollar index fell 0.14 to 100.98. On July 22 local time, US President Trump mentioned in a speech in Georgia that a federal government "shutdown" would occur in September due to differences between Republicans and Democrats over spending priorities. On July 21 local time, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a short-term spending bill that will fund federal government agencies through December 4, avoiding a government shutdown due to funding depletion before the November midterm elections. This temporary funding measure, also known as a "continuing resolution," will now be sent to the Senate for consideration. Republican leaders in the Senate are currently negotiating with Democrats and may propose their own short-term spending bill. If Congress fails to pass an appropriations bill in time, funding for most federal agencies and programs will expire at midnight on September 30, the end of the current fiscal year. (CCTV) As energy prices remain elevated, inflation expectations are heating up, and the market is focused on whether the upcoming Fed meeting next week will release clues about the future rate path. According to CME "FedWatch": the probability of the Fed keeping rates unchanged in July is 65.3%, while the probability of a cumulative 25-basis-point hike is 34.7%. The probability of rates remaining unchanged through September is 22%, a cumulative 25-bp hike is 54.9%, and a cumulative 50-bp hike is 23%. Other currencies: Mizuho Securities economist Yusuke Matsuo said Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda is expected to reiterate the stance of seeking further rate hikes at next week's press conference, but this is unlikely to reverse the yen's weakness. "The market has largely priced in the expectation that the BOJ will hike rates once every six months, so such comments alone are unlikely to push the yen significantly higher. Given that the market anticipates clarity on the timing and magnitude of the next rate hike, any stance interpreted as dovish could exacerbate the yen's weakness amid broad dollar strength." The market widely expects the BOJ to keep its policy rate unchanged at 1% at next week's meeting as it assesses the impact of the last rate hike. (Jin10 Data APP) Data: Today, data releases include China's June Swift renminbi share in global payments, Australia's June seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, the UK's July CBI industrial orders balance, the eurozone's ECB deposit facility rate as of July 23, the eurozone's ECB main refinancing rate as of July 23, Canada's May retail sales m/m, the US initial jobless claims for the week ending July 18, and the eurozone's July consumer confidence index flash estimate. Also watch for: the ECB announces its interest rate decision; ECB President Christine Lagarde holds a monetary policy press conference; Google and Tesla reported Q2 earnings after the US market close on July 22. Crude oil: As of 11:39, both benchmarks rose, with WTI up 1.88% and Brent up 1.57%. The US-Iran conflict continues to escalate, and global energy markets are repricing for a protracted supply shock. Both the US and Iran have clearly signaled a refusal to negotiate, reducing expectations for a near-term ceasefire to virtually zero. The rise in oil prices is no longer driven purely by supply-demand logic; a geopolitical risk premium is becoming a structural anchor in the pricing system. (Wall Street CN) Phillip Nova analyst Priyanka Sachdeva noted in a report that if tensions continue to escalate, Brent crude could test $100/bbl. She said that while the market is currently bearing mainly logistical risks rather than actual crude losses, this distinction could quickly narrow if attacks persist. Sachdeva pointed out that the greatest risk for energy markets would be prolonged traffic disruptions in both the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz. She added that the market's flexibility in rerouting cargoes would be very limited at that point, and shipping disruptions could rapidly evolve into broader inflation concerns. (Jin10 Data APP) Spot Market Overview: ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ►

Capacity side, according to incomplete statistics, China’s alkaline electrolyzer market remained at 43.77 GW, and the PEM electrolyzer market at 2.7 GW. This week, Qinghui Energy’s 15 MW PEM hydrogen production integrated system was officially shipped to a project in Romania, Europe, linking renewable energy electrolysis for hydrogen production; Wenshi Hydrogen’s three AEM hydrogen production units were shipped to the Netherlands, representing the first repeat order from a European client, with this equipment delivered to a local farm. Project-related updates: Henan Shunli Alcohol Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. : Henan Shunli Alcohol Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. released a public inquiry for the supervision services for an integrated power generation, biomass gasification and green methanol synthesis project. The project is located in the Coal Chemical Park, Tongye Town, Yindu District, Anyang City, with a total investment of about 1.6 billion yuan, and a supporting raw material pretreatment sub-project investment of about 120 million yuan. The tender scope covers full-cycle supervision services for the raw material pretreatment project, with the service period initially planned from early August 2026 to July 2027. The project uses agricultural and forestry waste as raw material, and plans to produce 70,000 mt/year of non-food biomass green ethanol and 244,000 mt/year of green methanol, with construction in phases. Junrui Green Hydrogen Energy (Chahar Right Rear Banner) Co., Ltd. : The 80,000 mt/year green ammonia production site project has been filed. The project is located in the New Materials Industrial Park, Chahar Right Rear Banner, Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia, with a total investment of 905.6 million yuan. The project plans to build an 80,000 mt/year ammonia synthesis plant and supporting utilities and auxiliary facilities, relying on upstream wind and solar power green hydrogen production, with an air separation unit to supply nitrogen and ammonia synthesis process to produce green ammonia, and a turndown ratio of 30% to 110%. The project covers an area of 509 mu, with a total floor area of 99,188 m². Construction is planned to start in October 2026 and complete in December 2027. Huaneng Xi’an Thermal Power Research Institute : The scientific research project’s alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and instruments tender has announced the shortlisted candidates. The first candidate is Fuxin Zhongqing Innovation Technology Co., Ltd., with a bid price of 1.1992 million yuan; the second is Shenzhen Ruilin Technology Co., Ltd., at 1.5808 million yuan; the third is Beijing Leidong Zhichuang Technology Co., Ltd., at 1.6334 million yuan. The project is located at the Baotou Third Thermal Power Plant of North United Power in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, and involves the procurement of a complete alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production system and supporting instruments. The supplier shall provide on-site installation guidance and commissioning services to support the development of high-efficiency single-cycle super alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production equipment. The project does not accept consortium bids, and delivery is required within 70 days after contract signing. CSSC (Handan) Peric Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. : secured two orders from an Ecuadorian partner, one for equipment renovation and the other for new equipment for production line expansion, extending their strategic cooperation of over 20 years. Reports indicate that the Ecuadorian partner enterprise introduced Peric hydrogen production equipment in 2004. The equipment has operated stably for 22 consecutive years under complex overseas working conditions with zero failures. Long-term field verification highlights the excellent stability, durability, and environmental adaptability of Peric's electrolytic hydrogen production equipment. Maoming City Public Transport Co., Ltd. The inauguration ceremony for Maoming's first hydrogen fuel cell buses was held at the Maoming Railway Station North Square bus terminal. The vehicles deployed are customized Chery Wanda models, suited for urban, urban-rural, and township passenger transport scenarios, and are equipped with the Tianneng Hydrogen Electric Chenxing-T80 fuel cell system. The buses require only 15 minutes for hydrogen refueling, significantly reducing energy replenishment time compared to pure electric buses, extending operating hours and improving vehicle turnover efficiency, supporting the development of green transport in western Guangdong. PowerChina Beijing Engineering Corporation Limited: The Jiuyuan District hydrogen production and storage integration demonstration project has been filed and will be located in the Jiuyuan Industrial Park, Baotou City. The project has a total investment of RMB 1.4695 billion and is planned to include an annual hydrogen production unit of 7,366 mt, a hydrogen storage facility of 168,900 standard cubic meters, along with supporting hydrogen production testing platforms, a hydrogen quality inspection center, a hydrogen R&D center, and a science popularization base. The project is scheduled to start construction in October 2026 and be completed and operational by December 2028. China Energy Engineering Group Bochuang Green Fuel (Shenyang) Co., Ltd. China Energy Engineering Group's East China Institute has secured the EPC contract for the first phase of the Shenyang wind-solar hydrogen production integrated with biomass green methanol oil demonstration project, involving 10kt of green methanol. The project is located in Kangping County, Shenyang, and is a benchmark project among the first domestic initiatives combining wind-solar electrolytic hydrogen production with biomass gasification to methanol. It leverages local wind power and straw resources to establish a complete 'green electricity-green hydrogen-green methanol' industry chain, producing 10kt of green methanol annually. The project can consume local wind power and agricultural/forestry waste, reducing full life-cycle carbon emissions by about 70% compared to traditional coal-to-methanol processes, with significant environmental and economic benefits. Envision Zero-Carbon Technology (Chifeng) Co., Ltd. The 12 electrolytic hydrogen production rectifier transformers independently developed by XD Electric for the Envision Energy Chifeng Zero-Carbon Hydrogen-Ammonia Phase I project have been fully energized. This project is the world's largest green hydrogen-ammonia project, with core equipment fully deployed. It is planned to produce 1.52 million mt of green ammonia annually, making it the world's first commercial green hydrogen-ammonia project. It builds an entire integrated industry chain of wind, solar, storage, hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, relies on 100% green electricity to produce liquid ammonia, and holds the world's first renewable ammonia certification issued by Bureau Veritas, showcasing outstanding industry demonstration value. Inner Mongolia Energy Group: The winning candidates for the hydrogen production system equipment procurement of the Jinshan Power Plant 2×660MW coal-fired power expansion project have been announced. The tender covers complete hydrogen production equipment for two 660MW high-efficiency ultra-supercritical air-cooled coal-fired units, with an estimated contract value of RMB 5.5 million. The candidates and their quoted prices are as follows: First candidate Beijing Zhongdian Fengye, quoting RMB 2.46 million; Second candidate Shanghai Qingrui Technology, quoting RMB 2.0833 million; Third candidate Changzhou Xingran Technology, quoting RMB 2.1 million. The project is located in Dongtaosuhao Village, Huangheshao Town, Saihan District, Hohhot. Construction started in December 2024, with Unit #1 planned to be commissioned in June 2027 and Unit #2 in October 2027. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd.: has announced a direct procurement notice for the hydrogen power supply container assembly. The procuring entity is the Green Energy Branch of Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric, with a procurement target of three sets of hydrogen power supply container assemblies. The designated supplier for this project is Guangdong Anpei Electric Power Co., Ltd. Policy Review 1. Scientifically plan the development of green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. Coordinate factors such as wind and solar resources, carbon sources, and water sources, integrate infrastructure construction for transportation, refueling, and transshipment, and plan the layout of green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production bases according to local conditions. Based on market demand, build integrated wind-solar hydrogen-ammonia-methanol projects for nearby consumption and utilization. Encourage the development of wind-solar hydrogen production in weak-grid or off-grid modes. Large-scale development projects for green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. Focus on northeast China, planning to build green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production bases primarily for outward transmission. Based on local conditions, plan to build green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production bases for nearby utilization in regions such as the 'Jiziwan' area of the Yellow River, northern North China, and the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains. 2. The Department of Economy and Information Technology of Zhejiang Province issued a notice on the 'Work Plan for Accelerating Scenario Cultivation and Openness to Promote Large-Scale Demonstration Applications of New Technologies, New Products, and New Scenarios.' Hydrogen energy application scenarios: Leverage the advantage of industrial by-product hydrogen resources to build the Yangtze River Delta Hydrogen Highway and Hydrogen Corridor, promote fuel cell vehicles such as port heavy-duty trucks, cold chain logistics, and bus passenger transport, and develop demonstration application scenarios for hydrogen transportation such as ships, forklifts, two-wheelers, and drones. For industrial application scenarios, advance the integrated construction of renewable energy hydrogen production projects, produce green hydrogen at scale or further synthesize green ammonia and green methanol, and promote the substitution of hydrogen-based chemical raw materials and green fuels. In industrial and civil fields, on the premise of ensuring safety, explore hydrogen-ammonia-methanol co-firing application scenarios. 3. The Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the Tianjin Municipal Market Regulation Commission, and the Hebei Provincial Administration for Market Regulation jointly formulated the 'Technical Specification for Carbon Inclusive Project Emission Reduction Accounting - Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles' (DB11/T 3054-2026), released on July 6, 2026, and will be implemented from October 1, 2026. This standard defines the terms and definitions related to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the carbon inclusive project emission reduction accounting for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and stipulates the basic requirements, greenhouse gas types, project boundaries and crediting periods, accounting methods, data monitoring and management, and key verification points for hydrogen fuel cell vehicle carbon inclusive projects. This document applies to the design, construction, and operation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle carbon inclusive projects within the administrative region of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei. Enterprise Developments Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy (Xianyang) Development Co., Ltd. has settled in the Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy Quality Technology Innovation Base. It will subsequently focus on the layout of liquid hydrogen storage system R&D and industrialization projects within the base. Leveraging the platform advantages of the base in inspection and testing, standard research, and industry-university-research collaboration, it will conduct performance testing, safety verification, and process optimization for liquid hydrogen storage equipment, accelerating product iteration for liquid hydrogen storage tanks and complete refueling systems. China Energy Engineering Group (Jiuquan) New Energy Co., Ltd. is a new energy company established by China Energy Engineering Group with a registered capital of RMB 1 million, located in the Economic and Technological Development Zone, Northwest Street Subdistrict, Suzhou District, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province. Its business scope includes permitted projects: power generation business, power transmission business, power supply (distribution) business; power supply operations (projects subject to legal approval can only be carried out after approval by relevant departments). General projects: contract energy management; engaging in investment activities with its own funds; power generation technical services; sales of hydrogen refueling station and hydrogen storage facilities, etc. Shanghai Hyfun Energy Technology Co., Ltd. : Its Shanghai Standardization Pilot Project has been successfully accepted. Companies in the same hydrogen refueling field can directly reuse the mature model established by Hyfun for this standard system, including grounded verification and iterative optimization, significantly reducing standardization construction costs. The complete set of standardized R&D and production processes for hydrogen refueling station equipment can be transferred and reused in hydrogen refueling production scenarios across various regions nationwide. Shanghai Xinran Compressor Co., Ltd.: has successfully signed a hydrogen compressor procurement project with Shandong Taihe Technology Co., Ltd., with both parties having completed the project signing. This customized equipment is designed for the operating conditions of a large PetroChina hydrogen production station, relying on the group's mature liquid-driven compression technology, with advantages in high-pressure output, stable continuous operation, and convenient maintenance. The equipment has completed full-process simulated operating condition testing before leaving the factory, strictly meeting the standards for hydrogen refueling, storage, and transportation in the oil and gas industry. Jiangsu Huade Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: A set of CarNeu-500 500kW large-power hydrogen power generation system has completed manufacturing and factory acceptance testing, and has been officially shipped to Brazil, marking the first project delivery in the South American market. This system is also the largest single-unit power station product delivered by the company to date. Tianneng Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: The first batch of officially operational hydrogen fuel cell buses in Maoming City, Guangdong Province, are equipped with the Chenxing-T80 fuel cell system independently developed by Tianneng Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., aiming to support the construction of the local green public transportation system. Guangzhou Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd.: The 2000-ton hydrogen fuel cell powered cargo ship 'Yuntao No.1', undertaken by the company and developed by the 605th Research Institute for Guangdong Yuntao Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., has been launched in Zhaoqing, Guangdong. The ship is the largest hydrogen-powered multipurpose cargo vessel in China. The ship has an overall length of 69.3 meters, a beam of 13.7 meters, and a maximumdwt of 2,000 mt. The ship uses hydrogen fuel as its power source, paired with an efficient electric propulsion system, achieving zero carbon emissions. It is equipped with an integrated energy management system that intelligently optimizes and precisely distributes energy to ensure high-efficiency energy utilization. Zaihe Automobile Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.: has teamed up with Jieqing Technology to launch a new hydrogen-electric heavy truck. The two parties have reached a strategic partnership to jointly promote the popularization of hydrogen-powered heavy trucks. Patent Applications 1. The Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (China) published patent CN2025110028, developing a ceramic-based anion exchange membrane with a laboratory test life of 80,000 hours. 2. Johnson Matthey (UK) filed patent WO2025109876, disclosing a Fe-Ni-Mo ternary non-precious metal catalyst formulation with activity close to platinum-based materials. Technology Footprints / Technical Specifications 1. The latest research achievement of Professor Hu Wenbin's team at Tianjin University has been published online in the international top journal Science. The study overcomes a key challenge in the precise preparation of platinum group catalysts, opening up a new technical pathway for the atomically precise preparation of platinum group catalysts. 2. The teams of Tong Lei and Liang Haiwei from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), together with Zhang Liang from Tsinghua University, proposed a Carbon Mesopore Depth Engineering (CMDE) strategy. Based on hollow mesoporous carbon spheres to regulate ionomer penetration depth, it solves the inherent contradiction between kinetic activity and oxygen mass transfer in low-platinum fuel cells, developing a PtCo low-platinum catalyst with poisoning tolerance, high mass transfer, and excellent durability, achieving power, activity, and durability targets set by the US DOE at an ultra-low platinum loading of 0.1 mgPt cm⁻². 3. Professor Li Zhipeng's team at Northwestern Polytechnical University innovatively constructed a three-dimensional multi-physics field coupling model for tubular solid oxide fuel cells, systematically revealing the quantitative influence laws of temperature, electrode thickness, porosity, and oxygen domain geometric parameters on the cell's output performance. 4. The National Hydrogen Power Quality Inspection and Testing Center of China Automotive Engineering Research Institute has built a 0-400kW hydrogen-related loaded three-comprehensive vibration test platform and opened it for commercial use, filling the gap in large-power hydrogen-related multi-physics field coupled testing in China. 5. The high specific power cathode closed air-cooled stack technology developed by the team of Academician Chen Zhongwei and Associate Researcher Zhang Meng at the State Key Laboratory of Energy Catalytic Conversion, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, has passed the scientific and technological achievement appraisal by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. This technology effectively overcomes the industry contradiction between water retention and oxygen mass transfer in air-cooled fuel cells, solving technical challenges including low-humidity performance degradation, carbon corrosion, membrane dry-out/flooding, and high-power thermal management.

SMM Nickel July 23 News: Macro and Market News: (1) Indonesia's central bank announced on the 22nd that it kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.75%. This was the first pause after cumulative rate hikes totaling 100 basis points over the previous two months. (2) Trump: If Iran attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the US will destroy its bridges or power plants; Iranian military: If the US follows through on its threats, Iran will cut off all oil flows in the Gulf region and strike the region's oil, natural gas, electricity, and economic infrastructure. Spot Market: On July 23, the SMM #1 refined nickel average price was 132,550 yuan/mt, up 1,350 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Regarding spot premiums, the average premium for Jinchuan #1 refined nickel was 1,450 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The premium range for mainstream domestic brands of electrodeposited nickel was -300-500 yuan/mt. Futures Market: The most-traded SHFE nickel contract (2609) continued to strengthen in the morning session, and as of the morning close it was at 132,450 yuan/mt, up 1.05%. Base metals strengthened collectively, with funds buying undervalued varieties on dips, pushing nickel prices into a phase of valuation recovery. Meanwhile, SHFE nickel futures drifted higher amid news of Indonesian quotas.

Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy is proposing reforms covering the development, installation and grid connection of renewable energy systems for self-consumption. The draft would allow balcony PV systems of up to 800W for the first time, though they would not be permitted to inject electricity into the grid and would need to meet safety requirements. The reforms also include standalone residential battery storage for self-consumption, collective self-consumption in apartments and residential complexes, and third-party development of self-consumption systems on behalf of consumers. Greece also plans to accelerate smart meter deployment and create an electronic self-consumption registry. More than 37,400 self-consumption systems totaling around 1.07GW have been commissioned in Greece since 2020.

AleaSoft Energy Forecasting said weekly average electricity prices increased across major European power markets last week, including Belgium, Britain, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, the Nordic region, Portugal and Spain. Apart from the Nordic market, where the weekly average reached EUR 57.36/MWh, all markets exceeded EUR 110/MWh. Italy recorded the highest average at EUR 161.23/MWh, followed by the Netherlands at EUR 131.47/MWh. AleaSoft said rising TTF gas prices, higher CO2 allowance prices, and lower solar and wind generation in several markets pushed electricity prices higher.