On June 9 local time, General Motors and US grid energy storage company Peak Energy announced that they would jointly develop and deploy next-generation sodium-ion battery cells purpose-built for grid energy storage. Under the agreement, General Motors will be responsible for sodium-ion cell R&D at its battery lab in Michigan and retain exclusive manufacturing rights for the cells; Peak Energy will integrate these cells into its proprietary energy storage systems.

[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Intensified Supply-Demand Tug-of-War, Magnesium Ingot Market Remains in Stalemate and Consolidation This Week] This week, the overall market for dolomite and magnesium products remained stable, with the market showing a supply-strong, demand-weak pattern. Dolomite quarries in Wutai, Shanxi, were shut down due to environmental protection measures, leading to localized tight supply of high-grade dolomite. However, national inventory remained ample, and downstream users purchased as needed, keeping prices stable. Magnesium ingot supply in major production areas was abundant, while downstream buyers only made just-in-time procurement, resulting in a stagnant market. Export orders were sluggish, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment. Magnesium powder followed the raw material trend, and the industry was in the demand off-season, with mediocre domestic and foreign trade transactions. Magnesium alloy production was steady, but enterprise orders diverged. Some producers saw rising inventory, an increase in low-priced supply, and a widening price spread. The supply-demand tug-of-war across the industry chain intensified, and short-term price fluctuations for various product categories remained limited, with the market expected to continue running steadily.

[Baosteel Announcement on Domestic Futures Selling Price Adjustments for July 2026 Sheets & Plates] After research and decision, Baosteel announces the following adjustments to its domestic sales prices for July 2026 based on the June 2026 levels (all prices are tax-exclusive unless otherwise specified): 1. Hot-rolled: unchanged. 2. Heavy plate: unchanged. 3. Pickled: unchanged. 4. Cold-rolled: unchanged. 5. Hot-dip galvanized: unchanged. 6. Electrogalvanized: unchanged. 7. Medium-aluminum Zn-Al-Mg: unchanged. 8. High-aluminum Zn-Al-Mg: unchanged. 9. Galvalume: unchanged. 10. Color-coated: unchanged. 11. Non-oriented silicon steel: unchanged. 12. Grain-oriented silicon steel: base price raised by 300 yuan/mt. 13. Seamless pipe: unchanged. 14. Welded pipe: unchanged. 15. Wire rod: unchanged. 16. Bar: unchanged. 17. For alloy surcharges and coating/plating surcharge adjustments, please refer to the July 2026 price list. 18. This price adjustment notice takes effect from the date of announcement. 19. The right of interpretation of this price adjustment notice belongs to the Marketing Center of Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (Baosteel International). Marketing Center of Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (Baosteel International) June 10, 2026

[Waste Lead-Acid Battery Market Update] Lead prices have dropped sharply recently, prompting secondary lead smelters to significantly lower their scrap battery purchase prices by 50-150 yuan/mt to cut costs. Currently, the tax-exclusive quotation for waste lead-acid batteries used in EVs stands at 9,350-9,400 yuan/mt in the market.

On June 9, GEM disclosed that it has signed a cooperation agreement to jointly establish a joint laboratory for solid-state battery cathode materials and to conduct collaborative research on key technologies for the industrialization of solid-state lithium battery cathode materials. GEM plans to invest a total of 30 million yuan into the joint laboratory over five years. Of this amount, 20 million yuan will be used for the construction and operation of the joint laboratory, while the remaining 10 million yuan will be allocated for the pilot-scale conversion of laboratory technologies once they mature. The funds for the joint laboratory will be managed under a separate account at Ningbo Eastern University of Technology, earmarked exclusively for research and development activities within the joint laboratory.

Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) is pleased to announce that an SMM-led delegation, headed by SMM Copper & Tin Overseas Marketing Manager Jenny Wu and made up of delegates from the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026 , paid a formal visit to the Association of Indonesian Tin Exporters (AETI) on June 4. The event was organized by SMM and co-organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Economic Council, Indonesia Nickel Miners Association (APNI), and MMR, with the Jakarta Futures Exchange as the strategic partner. This visit underscores SMM’s commitment to fostering long-term, win-win partnerships between Indonesia’s top mineral exporters and worldwide metal industry stakeholders. During the exchange meeting, AETI representatives gave a detailed introduction to the association’s development background and the overall production and operational status of some local tin enterprises in Indonesia. In the Q&A session, the two sides had in-depth discussions on key industry topics such as the progress of Indonesian tin ore mining quota approvals and certain current industry-related policies, sharing market information and exchanging industry perspectives. This face-to-face exchange further strengthened ties between industry partners in and outside China, laying a solid foundation for future cross-regional cooperation and information sharing along the tin industry chain. Introduction to the Association of Indonesian Tin Exporters (AETI) Profile The AETI was established on May 9, 2014, and became a member of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) on March 14, 2015. Objectives: Creating productive collaboration between the government, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders Increasing the added value of Indonesian Tin Encouraging the implementation of Good Mining Practices in the tin mining industry Board of AETI Management AETI Members Currently, AETI has 23 member companies of tin exporters spread across the islands of Bangka, Belitung, and Riau AETI Mandate/Functions Advocating for policies that support the national tin industry Maintaining the stability and sustainability of the tin export market Ensuring member compliance with environmental and trading regulations Serving as a forum of communication between tin exporters and the government AETI Internal Activities Training & Development AETI Member Meeting TinSeller–BuyerMeeting Others: Reclamation, Charity, Conference, etc. As a demonstration of AETI's commitment to the environment, we have launched a reclamation program targeting 500 hectares of abandoned post mining land in Bangka Belitung. AETI also runs regular social programs for the community in Bangka Belitung Indonesia Tin Update AETI forecasts that the total national tin production quota in the 2026 Mining Work Plan (RKAB) will be approximately 50,000 tons. This figure has been adjusted from around 53,000 tons in 2025 to stabilize global tin prices. Currently, ten enterprises have obtained RKAB approvals. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is implementing a more selective evaluation and adjustment of the RKAB. The Indonesian government has introduced these policies to secure future energy reserves while simultaneously controling the structure of tin trade to prevent illegal mining practices. Dynamics of Indonesian Tin Industry Regulatory Policies The dynamics of tin regulation in Indonesia over past years have undergone a massive paradigm shift. Driven by ensuring the sustainability and improving the governance of natural resources, optimizing state revenue and promoting downstream industrialization. 1. The validity period of the RKAB has been restored to one year (previously a three-year system). The policy aims to strengthen the government’s supervision of annual production, close loopholes in illegal mining, and adjust quotas in real time based on global market demand. Legal basis: an Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) ministerial regulation, now officially implemented. Currently, smelters must reapply annually, and the approval process is becoming stricter. While this measure reduces the predictability of multi-year supply, it has effectively curbed speculative over-application of production quotas. 2. Downstream development policy (Hilirisasi) This drives Indonesia’s transformation from an exporter of raw materials and refined ingots into a producer of high-value-added finished products, retaining profits domestically. The policy is a key pillar of the current government’s national development philosophy and falls under the President’s eight core governance goals (Asta Cita). Indonesia has streamlined regulatory rules for the export of industrial tin products, covering raw material procurement and product technical standards, thereby promoting the domestic production and export of high-end tin products such as tin solder, tin chemicals, tin powder, and tin plate. 3. Designating tin as a critical strategic mineral Tin has been elevated to a strategic status concerning national resilience and security, ensuring long-term domestic supply for key industries such as EVs and electronics. Legal basis: the Presidential Regulation on the Governance of Critical and Strategic Minerals, currently under development. With tin classified as a critical strategic mineral, mining supervision becomes stricter, and the central government gains the highest authority over production control. This has accelerated the downstreamization of Indonesia’s tin industry and, together with tightening global supply, has at times driven a significant rise in tin prices. 4. Establishing a benchmark price for tin ore This creates a fair, standardized price floor for domestic tin ore transactions in Indonesia, ensuring optimal state revenue (royalties) while securing reasonable income for local miners/partners. Legal basis: an ESDM ministerial regulation, under development. The policy can eliminate low-ball pricing and malicious push for lower prices among local miners, partners, and smelters. Domestic ore transaction prices are set with reference to public international benchmarks such as the London Metal Exchange, the Indonesia Commodity Exchange, and the Jakarta Futures Exchange, and are adjusted based on local actual costs. 5. Single export gateway policy for strategic commodities Strategic commodities must go through a designated unified gateway/trading platform for centralized export business, enabling whole-process compliance supervision, traceable flows, and ensuring full payment of taxes and royalties. Legal basis: joint regulations formulated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, currently under development. Export business is handled exclusively through the state-designated institution — Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia — which may weaken the role of domestic private enterprises in the export process.

[HRC] HRC export prices remained stable day on day today, with transaction prices at 496-504 USD/tonne. A major mill in north China reported that its transaction price fell by more than 5-10 USD/tonne WoW this week, and its prices remained higher than other resources, at around 515 USD/tonne. The presence of tax-exclusive prices in the market has made it more difficult for some regular traders to close deals. It is learned that tax-exclusive prices are even 10 USD/tonne lower than the market’s lowest tax-inclusive prices. [Rebar] Rebar export FOB quotations remained stable today, with transaction prices mostly concentrated at 492-495 USD/tonne. Shipments are mostly scheduled for August, and some steel mills have full order books, with deliveries already scheduled from September to October. According to feedback from some market traders, recent inquiries for wire rod have been moderate, overseas buyers remain cautious and on the sidelines, and their psychological price levels are generally lower than current offers. [Steel Billet] The export transaction price for steel billet was 473-475 USD/tonne today, holding steady day on day. Recently, offers from steel mills in north China were at around 478 USD/tonne, but it is reported that deals cannot be reached for high-priced resources. Currently, most shipments are scheduled for August, with a few in September. It is learned that a few mills in east China have maintenance plans in June and will continue to control their order intake in the short term. In addition, some mills in north China have recently taken new rebar orders, so they are temporarily reducing the volume of steel billet available for ordering.

China Steel Market Export : [Sheets & Plates] Today, HRC export prices continued to decline by 2 USD/tonne on a daily basis, with transaction prices at 496-504 USD/tonne. Domestic futures fell, and market inquiry activity weakened somewhat. Domestic traders reported that tax-exclusive offers appeared in multiple northern markets, and congestion at some ports persisted. [Steel Billet] Today, square billet export prices were at 473-475 USD/tonne, easing slightly by 1 USD/tonne DoD. Recently, northern market offers were on the high side, but high-priced resources failed to close deals. Additionally, inquiries from outside China weakened, with buyers adopting a wait-and-see approach, and inquiry prices remained 3-5 USD/tonne below market prices. [Rebar] Today, rebar export offers eased slightly by 1 USD/tonne. According to some market participants, rebar inquiry activity was weak with lackluster transactions, and some steel mills plan to venture into markets outside China to seek new order-taking opportunities.

[Weekly Review of Aluminum Scrap and Secondary Aluminum]High Raw Material Costs Keep Secondary Aluminum Prices Firm

[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Limited Support from Raw Materials, Magnesium Products Overall in the Doldrums This Week] This week, prices of various products across the industry chain followed magnesium ingots in a weak consolidation trend. Dolomite supplies were replenished adequately across regions; although raw materials tightened in some areas, overall inventory remained ample, and ex-factory prices stayed stable. Magnesium ingot prices in major producing areas first declined then stabilized during the week, with weekly quotes lowered by 250 yuan/mt. Low-priced factories held back from selling, supporting prices to stop falling, while downstream buyers restocked on an as-needed basis. FOB quotes at Tianjin port saw limited fluctuations, and a wait-and-see approach outside China led to sluggish transactions. Magnesium powder stabilized after declining alongside raw materials, with both domestic and external demand in the off-season, limited to just-in-time procurement. Magnesium alloy prices weakened, dragged down by raw materials. Demand divergence was evident, with moderate automotive orders but weak two-wheeler demand. The market faced oversupply, and enterprises lowered processing fees to boost shipments.