Conference Name: AIAC 2026 SMM (15th) Aluminum Industry Annual Conference Conference Date: October 12-13, 2026 Conference Venue: Guiyang, China Conference Theme: Long-term Contracts · Trade · Market Trends Organizer: SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. In 2026, the global aluminum industry is at a critical juncture of profound transformation and strategic transition. As the world's largest aluminum producer (accounting for approximately 60% of global aluminum production), China's industrial dynamics profoundly influence the global market landscape. The industry currently faces multiple challenges and opportunities, including global resource allocation and import dependence, the supply-demand pattern of alumina and aluminum, long-term contract trading models and risk management, and responses to geopolitical tensions and trade barriers. Against this backdrop, China's aluminum industry urgently needs to achieve breakthroughs through technological innovation, enhance efficiency and set benchmarks through management upgrades, and ultimately realize a strategic leap from "scale advantage" to "quality advantage," advancing steadily on the path of high-quality development. Thisis scheduled to be held in Guiyang on October 12-13, 2026. Organized by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., the conference will focus on global bauxite allocation strategies, innovation in long-term contract pricing models, optimization of price forecasting models, application of risk hedging tools, energy transition pathways, and technological innovation directions, aiming to help enterprises seize opportunities for high-quality development of the aluminum industry under the "dual carbon" goals and achieve sustained industrial growth. Conference Value | Conference Value This conference focuses on upstream resource security, long-term contract trade, market insights and price forecasting, risk hedging, energy transition, and technological innovation sharing, with particular emphasis on global bauxite allocation, the supply-demand balance of alumina and aluminum, and long-term contract pricing models. It aims to help enterprises grasp market trends, optimize resource allocation, address trade challenges, and promote the healthy development of the aluminum industry. Attendees | Attendees This conference will invite representatives from premium enterprises across the aluminum industry chain (bauxite, alumina, aluminum, aluminum processing), traders, end-users, government leaders, trade associations, authoritative experts, industry research institutions, financial institutions, and other industry representatives. The conference is expected to attract over 500 attendees. Past Conference Guests Company Name Company Representative Name Name Job Title Job Title Main Products Main Products Shandong Aluminium Industry Association SHANDONG ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION Wen Xianjun Former Vice President of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA), Honorary President of Shandong Aluminium Industry Association China Aluminum International Trading Group Co., Ltd. China Aluminum International Trading Group Co., Ltd. Li Guangfei Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, General Manager Aluminum, alumina, bauxite SPIC Aluminum International Trading Co., Ltd. State Power Investment Corporation Aluminum International Trading Co., Ltd. Liu Renjian General Manager Bauxite, alumina, aluminum and related products Gansu Dongxing Aluminium Co., Ltd. Gansu Dongxing Aluminium Co., Ltd. Li Jipeng General Manager Aluminum, aluminum billet, aluminum coil, aluminum rod Shandong Hongtuo Industrial Co., Ltd. Shandong Hongtuo Industrial Co., Ltd Jiang Zhen Sales General Manager Alumina, aluminum Henan Zhongfu Industrial Co., Ltd. Henan Zhongfu Industrial Co., Ltd. Qian Yu General Manager Aluminum, aluminum plate/sheet, strip and foil Henan Shenhuo International Trading Co., Ltd. HENAN SHENHUO INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO., LTD. Zhang Linhai General Manager Aluminum Yidian Holdings Group International Trade Co., Ltd. Yidian Holdings Group International Trade Co., Ltd Meng Tao General Manager Aluminum Yidian Holdings Group International Trade Co., Ltd. Yidian Holdings Group International Trade Co., Ltd Fan Weiguo Deputy General Manager Aluminum Ningbo Kaiton International Trade Co., Ltd. Ningbo Kaiton International Trade Co. Ltd. Wu Chuanghui General Manager Aluminum, copper cathode Shanxi Zhaofeng Tiancheng Aluminum Co., Ltd. Shanxi Zhaofeng Tiancheng Aluminum Co., Ltd. Wu Xiaojun Chairman Aluminum plate/sheet and strip Jiangxi Bestoo Energy Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Bestoo Energy Co., ltd. Zhao Yonghua Vice President Aluminum Shaanxi Nonferrous Yulin New Materials Group Co., Ltd. Shaanxi Nonferrous Yulin New Materials Group Co., Ltd. Gao Wenjie Deputy General Manager Aluminum Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co.,Ltd. Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co.,Ltd. Li Wenchao General Manager Shanghai Russia Xibo Economic and Trade Co., Ltd. Shanghai Russia Xibo Economic and TradeCo..Ltd Deng Gang President of China Marketing Primary Aluminum Luoyang Xiangjiang Wanji Aluminium Co., Ltd. LUOYANG XIANGJIANG WANJI ALUMINIUM Wang Wenjie General Manager Alumina Shandong Aluminium Industry Association Shandong Aluminium Industry Association He Faping President and Secretary General Shandong Aluminium Industry Association Shandong Aluminium Industry Association Li Zhenlei Director of Industry Information Department Henan Provincial Nonferrous Metals Association Henan Provincel Nonferrous Metals Association Li Ruxi Vice President Shanghai Aluminum Trade Association SHANGHAI ALUMINUM TRADE ASSOCIATION Liu Lilin Secretary General Association Shanghai Aluminum Trade Association SHANGHAI ALUMINUM TRADE ASSOCIATION Shen Yue Deputy Secretary General Association Huolinguole City Aluminum Industry Association Huolinguole City Aluminum Industry Association Gao Jinzhi President, Deputy Director of Huolinguole Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee Huolinguole Regional Economic Cooperation Financial Services Center Huolinguole Regional EconomicCooperation Financial Services Center Wang Kaifei Director Wenshan Prefecture Aluminum Industry Association Wenshan Prefecture Aluminum IndustryAssociation TBD Association * Only a partial list of attending guests is shown. To obtain the complete directory of the 2025 Aluminum Industry Annual Conference, please contact our customer service. Manager Chu (Miya) 13642049827 chuzhaolan@smm.cn Note: After submitting your information, we will contact you regarding your actual registration progress within 1-3 business days! Conference Content | Agenda This year's conference is planned to consist of two full-day main sessions | a processing and trade matchmaking session | a cross-border arbitrage training session | a public competitive bidding procurement session for bulk raw materials by a multinational aluminum giant (the specific company name is not disclosed for now) | an aluminum industry annual gala dinner | and a field trip to local leading aluminum enterprises. The first-day main session focused on upstream changes in the aluminum industry, energy reshaping and zero-carbon technologies, providing insights into the new course of China's aluminum industry under global supply chain restructuring. The second-day core highlights revolved around strategic opportunities arising from the global aluminum supply gap, with a focus on NEV lightweighting, battery foil and other growth segments, while driving aluminum semis toward high-end breakthroughs through digital transformation. Pending. Content Summary | Abstract I. Geopolitical Black Swans and Energy Crisis: Contraction of Aluminum Supply Outside China and Restructuring of Global Trade Flows II. Shifts in the Global Bauxite Supply Chain: Guinea's Policies, Geopolitical Risks and China's Resource Security III. Inert Anode Technology: The "Zero-Carbon Revolution" in the Aluminum Industry and Industrialisation Timetable IV. Middle East Black Swans and China's Opportunities: Aluminum Semis Export Strategy Amid the Global Aluminum Supply Gap V. Reshaping Energy Costs in the Aluminum Industry: From "Securing Supply" to "Reducing Costs" VI. As Electricity Market Reform Deepens, How Much Room Remains for Low-Cost Power in the Aluminum Industry? VII. Lightweighting Applications of Aluminum Alloys Across All NEV Scenarios VIII. Growth Segments for Aluminum Plate/Sheet, Strip and Foil: Demand Explosion in Battery Foil, Energy Storage and Packaging Materials IX. AI Large Models Empowering Aluminum: From Intelligent Electrolysis Cells to Full-Process Digital Factories X. Implementation of Guinea's New Policies: How to Balance Long-Term Contract Supply Security and Localisation Considerations ······ Past Industry Leaders: Wen Xianjun, Former Vice President of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) and Honorary President of Shandong Aluminium Industry Association; Mamadou Cherif LY, General Manager of AISC Group; Wito Krisnahad, President of PT Kalimantan Aluminum Company; Ousmane Kaba, Director of Guinea's National Ministry of Mines and Geology; Bachir Diallo, Deputy Director of Guinea's Mining Infrastructure Development Bureau; Dong Chunming, General Manager of Sunlight Metal/ASI Consultant; Wang Lijiao, Deputy General Manager of Henan Mingtai Aluminum Co., Ltd.; Liu Xiaolei, Big Data Director of SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.··· *Only a partial list of guest speakers is shown. This year's conference is expected to feature 37+ presentation reports. If you have any questions about the specific arrangements and core content of the conference, please contact us. Contact: Chu Zhaolan Tel: 13642049827 (same number on WeChat) Email: chuzhaolan@smm.cn Conference Official Website Note: After submitting your information, we will contact you regarding your actual registration progress within 1-3 business days!

Queensland and the Australian federal government have launched a A$600 million study aimed at securing the long-term future of the state’s copper industry. The initiative will focus on sustaining operations at the Mount Isa smelter and Townsville refinery while exploring broader industrial growth opportunities. Officials said the plan is designed to strengthen Australia’s critical minerals supply chain resilience and regional employment. Glencore also plans to invest A$2.5 billion in the region over the next six years.

Concluding our series, we shift focus to 2026's emerging NdFeB growth drivers: robotics, low-altitude economy, and electric two-wheelers. While viewed as the "second growth curve," we analyze their actual demand support amidst current macro and industry cycles to determine if they can offset traditional sector slowdowns.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Alcoa Arconic’s Davenport, Iowa Plant Arconic held a groundbreaking ceremony for a $175 million investment project at its Davenport, Iowa plant. The project will add a state-of-the-art aluminum casting complex to the facility. For company leadership, the No. 10 Pit expansion project represented both growth in the manufacturing business and a long-term commitment to the region. With expanded capacity, advanced technology, and a focus on efficiency and sustainability, Arconic was positioning itself and the local community for the next generation of industrial growth. Once completed, No. 10 Pit will significantly expand casting ingot capacity, increase aluminum scrap recycling, and improve overall energy efficiency.

Precious metals are having a moment. Gold and silver surged to record highs in January, benefiting from an alignment of macroeconomic factors, evolving supply-demand dynamics, and renewed industrial demand.

On January 28th, the construction of the 500-kilovolt power transmission and transformation project in Fengtai, Beijing officially started. This project is the first newly-built 500-kilovolt power grid project in Beijing during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. It will significantly enhance the resilience and power receiving capacity of the southern Beijing power grid and provide reliable power support for Beijing to continuously optimize the investment structure and vigorously develop high-end, precise, and cutting-edge industries. The 500-kilovolt power transmission and transformation project in Fengtai, Beijing is a key project of Beijing's power grid during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and one of the "3 100" key projects in Beijing this year. It is constructed and managed by the State

[SMM Aluminum Express News] A Vietnamese firm, Vietnam-Phuong Group (VPG), is developing a major integrated bauxite-alumina-aluminum project in Dak Cheung district, Sekong Province, southern Laos. The USD 1 billion Bauxite-Alumina Mining Industrial Complex, spanning nearly 9,000 hectares (Laos' largest Vietnamese mining investment), began construction in late 2022. It received fresh Lao government approval in September 2025 after mining studies and site clearance. Once fully operational, the aluminum smelter is expected to produce up to 1 million tonnes annually, with production starting in 2028. The project supports Laos' industrial growth, energy needs, and potential exports while strengthening Vietnam-Laos economic ties.

Recently, the Indian government officially approved a plan totaling 72.8 billion rupees (equivalent to $815 million), aimed at promoting the production of sintered rare earth permanent magnets and enhancing the country's self-sufficiency in advanced magnet technology. According to the plan, five companies will be selected through competitive bidding to jointly establish an annual production capacity of 6,000 mt of sintered NdFeB. To support this goal, the plan will provide 64.5 billion rupees in sales-related incentives and 7.5 billion rupees in capital subsidies for facility construction over a five-year period. Each selected company will be allocated an annual production capacity of 1,200 mt. The entire plan is expected to span seven years, with the first two years dedicated to installation and construction. The core of the plan lies in incentivizing India to build a comprehensive magnet manufacturing capability system, covering the entire process from the conversion of rare earth oxides to metals, the processing of metals into alloys, and the manufacturing of alloys into finished magnets. This initiative will not only help strengthen supply chain stability but also create numerous employment opportunities, drive industrial growth, and contribute to India's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

[Shipbuilding enterprises are fully booked, with some having orders scheduled up to 2029] Amid the current complex global trade situation, China's shipbuilding industry continues to demonstrate strong market resilience and competitiveness, accelerating its industrial growth. From January to April this year, China's shipbuilding industry maintained its global leadership in new orders, accounting for the largest share of the world market. Currently, many shipbuilding enterprises are fully booked, with production tasks scheduled several years ahead. Luo Wenqing, General Manager of Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd., stated that Dock No. 1 is continuously constructing large 16,000 TEU container ships, while Dock No. 2 is building six large dual-fuel LNG (liquefied natural gas) crude oil tankers. The current orders on hand have both docks scheduled up to the first half of 2029. (CCTV Finance)

On May 25 (Sunday), the International Energy Agency (IEA) stated in its latest outlook report that driven by the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and rapid industrial growth in Asia, global demand for copper cathode is expected to surge significantly by 2050. While China remains the dominant consumer, emerging economies such as India and Vietnam are poised to reshape the market. The IEA indicated that global copper supply will peak by the end of the 2020s and then decline sharply due to falling ore grades and depleting reserves. The IEA noted that while projects in Africa and Mongolia will boost near-term production, long-term challenges have raised concerns about meeting growing demand. The agency stated that by 2035, global copper supply will be significantly lower than demand. Declining ore grades, rising project costs, and a sharp slowdown in new discoveries are driving the widening supply gap, posing severe challenges for the clean energy transition. Global production of critical energy minerals is on the rise, but the IEA warned that by 2035, the supply of copper and lithium may fall far short of demand. In its latest outlook, the IEA pointed out that rising project costs and a slowdown in resource discoveries are major risks to achieving clean energy goals.