SK On will transition to a unified production system centered on its SK Battery America (SKBA) operations in Georgia to improve efficiency in North America. According to the company on the 3rd, starting April 6 (local time), production volumes from SKBA’s first plant will be transferred to the second plant. In addition, part of the second plant’s production lines will be converted from electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing to energy storage system (ESS) production. The Georgia Plant 1 has an annual capacity of 10GWh and began commercial operations in the first quarter of 2022, while Plant 2 has a capacity of 12GWh and started operations in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The trend of nickel prices in H1 2024 overall presented an inverted "V" shape. The performance of nickel prices in H1 this year can be summarized as a rise followed by a fall...

According to SMM statistics, the total production of primary aluminium outside China reached 7,461.5 kilo metric tonnes (kmt) in the first quarter of 2024. The Middle East contributed 23% or 1.72 million tonnes of the total. Following closely were...

SMM data showed that China's copper cathode output in February was 950,300 mt, a month-on-month decrease of 19,500 mt or 2.01%, but a year-on-year increase of 4.68%.

Primary aluminum production outside China remained stable year-over-year in February, with a total output of 2365.6 kmt. The capacity utilization rate is currently at 87.6%. Notable regional developments include the restart of Alcoa's Alumar smelter in Brazil and UC Rusal's Taishet smelter in Russia. Europe saw a decline in production due to the closure of the Neuss smelter in Germany. Looking ahead, production is expected to remain steady in March, with an estimated total output of 2524 kmt. The closure of the New Madrid smelter in the United States and increased production at the Boyne Island smelter in Australia are expected to impact regional trends.

Geopolitical issues still have an impact on commodity trade. The Group of Seven (G7) has expanded sanctions on Russia and will continue to reduce Russia's income from the metals trade. Here’s how the geopolitical issues have changed nickel trade in 2023 and the trend of nickel prices.

Rio Tinto announced its production performance for the first quarter of 2023.

Myanmar's tin ore and concentrate exports hit a multi-year high in the first quarter of 2022, but this was mainly due to the sell-off of concentrate stocks by the local government.

The prices of DMC has reached a record high of 52,500 yuan/mt on October 8, 2021, and then fell rapidly thereafter. As of March 30, 2023, DMC spot prices fell to 15,600-16,500 yuan/mt, with an average price of 16,050 yuan/mt, setting a new low since June 2020.

According to media, the spot prices of silicon wafers have recently begun to fall, which is the first time in more than three years, mainly involving 6 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches.