SMM Cobalt Morning Brief: This week, the cobalt industry chain continued to consolidate on a weak note overall. Refined cobalt traded around 380,000 yuan/mt. Although smelters slightly raised their offers, high inventory and weak end-use demand limited price recovery. The trading center of cobalt intermediate products moved lower. Cobalt sulphate ground lower on a weak note. Transactions of cobalt chloride and Co3O4 were sluggish. Cobalt powder remained under pressure due to the traditional off-season. The pullback in raw material prices dragged down ternary cathode precursors and ternary cathode materials. LCO remained stable with a weak bias. Future market trends still require attention on Q3 restocking and end-use demand recovery.

Fengyuan Shares expects net profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 140 million-200 million for the first half of 2026, compared with a loss a year earlier. The company attributed the turnaround to continued growth in global new energy demand, which boosted downstream demand for lithium-ion battery cathode materials. Higher sales volumes and capacity utilization, together with improved economies of scale and government subsidies, supported earnings growth.

Senior Technology expects net profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 736 million-900 million in the first half of 2026, compared with a loss a year earlier. The company said strong downstream demand for lithium-ion battery separators supported steady shipment growth, while improving industry supply-demand fundamentals helped separator prices stabilize and recover from last year's lows. Combined with effective cost controls, higher margins drove a significant improvement in profitability.

Do-Fluoride announced that the scheduled completion date for its 100,000 tpy lithium-ion battery electrolyte materials project has been postponed by one year, from November 30, 2026 to November 30, 2027. The company said the project's investment scope, implementation entity, funding plan and intended use of proceeds remain unchanged, with only the construction schedule being adjusted.

L-H Battery Company, the U.S. joint venture between LG Energy Solution and Honda, announced on July 3 that it began mass production of lithium-ion battery cells for ESS at its plant in Jeffersonville, Fayette County, Ohio, on July 2 local time.

Recently, the Shanxi Xiangyuan 42.5MW lithium-ion battery and supercapacitor hybrid energy storage project has entered the grid-connection commissioning phase. The project is jointly constructed by Shanxi Zhongsheng Smart Power Co., Ltd. and Shanxi Zhixian New Energy Co., Ltd., with a total investment of 206 million yuan. Among them, the lithium-ion battery installation scale is 32.5MW/130MWh, a standard "four-hour" configuration, while the supercapacitor installation scale is 10MW/0.083MWh, enabling "rapid power braking or acceleration" within tens of seconds. The lithium battery handles large-capacity energy storage, while the supercapacitor achieves millisecond-level fast frequency regulation. The system can serve both peak-valley arbitrage and grid auxiliary frequency regulation, stabilizing the output of new energy power generation.

SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition 2027 June 2-4 China · National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) No. 333 , Songze Avenue, Qingpu District, Shanghai Integrate the Ecosystem, Empower the Future of the Energy Chain Pre face: Co-organized by 25 international institutions and organizations including the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA), the Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CRES), the Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Association of Circular Economy (CREIA), the Shanghai Federation of Economic Organizations (SFEO), the Shanghai Science and Technology Exchange Center (SSTEC), and the Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA), the “SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition” will be grandly held in Shanghai, China, from June 2 to 4, 2027. From 15,000 m² at its first edition in 2007, the “SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition” grew to 360,000+ m² in 2026, attracting more than 2,800 enterprises from 95 countries and regions worldwide, with international exhibitors accounting for 30%, and has become the most influential international, professional, and large-scale energy storage event in China, Asia, and the world. SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition is the world’s most professional energy storage exhibition. Its exhibits include: international energy storage technologies and smart grids, energy storage technologies, equipment and materials, ESS power stations and EPC projects, grid connection of new energy power generation and intelligent transmission and distribution, power grid dispatching and automated control, smart metering and power consumption management, smart grid information and communications, international NEVs and charging piles, NEVs, power drive systems, key parts for NEVs, automotive design, charging facilities, etc., covering every link of the energy storage industry chain. The SNEC Energy Storage Forum also features a particularly rich variety of formats, covering analysis of future market trends in the energy storage industry, cooperative development strategies, policy orientations of various countries, cutting-edge industry technologies, energy storage finance, etc., and is the best opportunity to showcase achievements to the industry. We look forward to global stakeholders gathering in Shanghai, China, taking an industry-wide perspective and a problem-oriented approach, to jointly assess the energy storage markets in China, Asia, and the world, and to lead the path of innovative industry development together. May we meet in Shanghai in June 2026! Schedule: Move-in: May 30, 2027 13:30-18:00 May 31, 2027 & June 1 9:00-20:00 Exhibition: June 2-3, 2027 09:00-17:00 June 4 09:00-14:00 Move-out: June 4, 2027 14:00-24:00 Organizing Institutions: Approving Authority Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce Lead Organizers Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA) Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CRES) Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Energy Research Society Shanghai Federation of Industrial Economics (SFIE) Shanghai Science and Technology Exchange Center (SSTEC) Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA) Co-organizers Global Green Energy Industry Council (GGEIC) New Energy Industry Association Asia Pacific (NEIAAP) China Electric Power Construction Enterprise Association (CEPCA) Photovoltaic Professional Committee of the Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CPVS) Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Association of Circular Economy (CREIA) Supporter Solar Photovoltaic Products Sub-Council of China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronic Products (CCCME) Exhibition Contractors Shanghai Follow Me Technology Co., Ltd. Shanghai Solar Cloud Exhibition Services Co., Ltd. Follow Me Int'l Exhibition USA Inc. Follow me International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Exhibit Scope (Categories): International Energy Storage Technologies and Smart Grids A. Energy storage technologies, equipment and materials: Compressed air energy storage, pumped storage, superconducting electromagnetic energy storage, flywheel energy storage, thermal/cold energy storage, hydrogen storage and other energy storage technologies, equipment and materials applicable to plug-in EVs; various batteries (nickel–metal hydride battery, lithium-ion battery, lithium polymer battery, lead-acid battery, smart battery, sodium-sulfur battery), energy storage power supply, supercapacitors, renewable fuel cell, flow battery and other technologies, equipment and materials B. ESS power stations and EPC projects: BMS battery management system, PCS energy storage inverter, microgrid, EV battery swapping/charging stations and related supporting facilities C. Grid connection of new energy power generation and intelligent transmission and distribution: Grid-tie inverter, light-duty DC equipment, operation monitoring devices, grid connection control systems, flexible transmission equipment, UHV transmission equipment, high-temperature superconducting equipment, high-temperature superconducting cables, distribution automation systems and protection devices, smart switching equipment, transformers, instrument transformers, smart components, digital substations, integrated substation automation, distribution network automation devices, online monitoring for transmission and distribution, fault diagnosis and self-healing devices, power quality monitoring, harmonic mitigation and reactive power compensation, superconducting electrical engineering technology, various new-type wires and cables, composite materials, safety protection D. Power grid dispatching and automated control: Smart power grid dispatching systems, dispatching integrated data platform systems, power grid security and control, intelligent inspection systems, integrated measurement/control/protection and arc suppression and line selection systems, safety and stability control system solutions, power monitoring systems and microcomputer-based relay protection, wide-area dynamic monitoring systems, online monitoring systems for power grid stability, distribution network intelligent reactive power compensation devices, control software, remote control and telemetry devices, large-screen display systems, power system simulation E. Smart metering and power consumption management: Smart meters and chips, remote/centralized meter reading systems, power consumption information acquisition systems, power consumption management information systems, load management terminals, monitoring systems, inspection devices, metering cabinets and components, measuring instruments, sensors, semiconductors F. Smart grid information and communications: Internet of Things technologies, cloud computing technologies, multi-network convergence technologies, transmission technologies and equipment, access equipment, optical fiber and optical cables, industrial Ethernet, data communications and network technologies and related products, in-plant communications equipment, power line carrier equipment, supporting equipment and meters, digital microwave communications equipment, test equipment and instruments, online network monitoring equipment G. Others International NEVs and Charging Piles A. NEVs (passenger vehicles / commercial vehicles): Electric buses and trucks, electric sedans, electric sightseeing vehicles, electric golf carts, electric cleaning vehicles, hybrid buses and sedans, solar EVs, light-duty EVs, hybrid vehicles (micro hybrid, mild hybrid, medium hybrid, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid), battery EVs, fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen energy, natural gas and other new energy clean fuels, hybrid vehicles and various low-emission, environmentally friendly, energy-saving vehicles; B. Power drive systems: Power battery, battery management system, fuel cell, hybrid systems, drive motors, electric control systems, engines, detection and repair equipment, related testing, monitoring and protection instruments, related technologies; C. Key parts for NEVs: Power capacitors, supercapacitors, flywheels, inverter, electric heat pumps, electric power steering, electric air conditioning, tires, wire connections, electromagnetic technologies, related materials; coatings, transmissions, filters, carburetors, exhaust systems; axles, steering, braking, suspension systems; accessories for auto body; motors and electrical appliances, electronic components, electrical systems, circuits, wheel hub, tires, etc.; D. Automotive design: Complete vehicle design, system control design, etc. E. Charging facilities: Charging stations, charging piles; planning and achievements display of intelligent network projects for charging stations, expansion of gas stations into charging (battery swapping) stations, display of integrated refueling and charging service stations, technology products for solar- and wind-complementary NEV charging stations, power distribution equipment for charging stations, chargers, power monitoring systems, active filter devices, transformers, power distribution cabinets, cables, direct charging equipment, management auxiliary equipment, charging and swapping batteries and battery management systems, parking lot charging facilities, intelligent monitoring, power supply solutions for charging stations F. Others Exhibition Fees: Standard booth (deluxe standard, 3m x 3m ): China enterprises: RMB 23,800/booth Foreign-funded enterprises: US$4,900/booth Basic configuration: one consultation table, two folding chairs, one wastebasket, one 220V/500W power socket, two spotlights, Chinese and English header board, and carpet in the booth. Indoor bare space (minimum rental: 36 m²): China enterprises: RMB 2,380 /m 2 Foreign-funded enterprises: US$490 /m 2 Exhibitor Notes: 1. After confirming participation, the enterprise shall complete the exhibition application form, affix the official seal, and fax or mail it to the Organizing Committee; 2. Upon receipt of the booth reservation fee, the Organizing Committee will allocate booths to exhibitors in accordance with the principle of “first application, first payment, first arrangement”; 3. Payment details for exhibition fees: (1) The above exhibition fees do not include “construction deposit,” “construction management fee,” “facility rental fee,” and other fees; (2) Exhibitors that sign contract are requested to remit the deposit to the Organizing Committee’s account within ten working days from the date of contract signing, and fax the remittance voucher to the Organizing Committee for verification; (3) The remaining exhibition fees shall be remitted to the account designated by the Organizing Committee by December 31, 2026; 4. The placement order of advertisements in the conference booklet shall be based on the order in which advertising fees are received; the deadline for inclusion is March 31, 2027; 5. The Organizing Committee will send the Exhibitor Manual to participating enterprises in April 2027. For inquiries, please contact: Shanghai Follow Me Technology Co., Ltd. SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition Contact: Manager Wei Tel: +86-13817218765 (WeChat same number) E-mail: weiwei@snec.org.cn

[SMM Battery Brief] XTC New Energy to Invest US$64.58 Million in 10,000-tpa Cathode Material Project in Malaysia XTC New Energy announced plans to establish a wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, which will jointly establish a controlled subsidiary to invest in a lithium-ion battery cathode material project in Malaysia. The project will have an annual production capacity of 10,000 tonnes and a total investment of approximately US$64.58 million, supporting the company's overseas manufacturing footprint and global supply capabilities.

On June 24, Cangzhou Mingzhu Plastic Co., Ltd. announced that its lithium-ion battery separator production expansion project has been fully completed. This commissioning involves the remaining production lines of the "annual 200 million square meter wet-process lithium-ion battery separator project" and the "annual 500 million square meter dry-process lithium-ion battery separator project." According to the announcement, the second production line (with an annual design capacity of 100 million square meters) under the wet-process project, which is being handled by the subsidiary Wuhu Mingzhu Separator Technology Co., Ltd., has recently commenced production. Concurrently, the remaining three production lines (with a combined annual design capacity of 300 million square meters) under the dry-process project, being handled by the subsidiary Cangzhou Mingzhu Lithium Battery Separator Co., Ltd., have also been completed and put into operation.

Cangzhou Mingzhu announced that the remaining production lines of its downstream subsidiary Wuhu Separator's "200 million sq m/year wet-process lithium-ion battery separator project" and Mingzhu Lithium Battery's "500 million sq m/year dry-process lithium-ion battery separator project" have been fully put into operation. With a combined annual capacity of 700 million square meters, these two projects will significantly boost the company's market share and competitiveness in the lithium battery separator industry.