[SMM Titanium Express] Asahi Kasei, Nippon Steel and Nippon Steel Trading have jointly launched a titanium recycling system for chlor-alkali electrolysis cells, processing production scrap into pure titanium feedstock for corrosion-resistant anode components. Through supply chain collaboration and digital traceability, the closed-loop system enhances resource efficiency and reduces environmental impact. The partners plan to expand cooperation to further integrate secondary raw materials into production processes.

In 2026, the European Critical Raw Materials Centre (ECRMC) will be officially launched. This initiative is one of the solutions to accelerate the development of an independent supply chain, preventing the situation of “a single country supplying more than 65% of demand”. The center will have three main functions: monitoring and assessing the raw materials demand of member countries, conducting joint procurement on behalf of members, and stockpiling and delivering inventory when necessary. ECRMC, as some have commented as a “Tinder for metals,” will work with stakeholders to design a minimum pricing mechanism and framework. The first joint purchasing activity will begin in March 2026 through a platform that connects suppliers and purchasers.

On March 18, the “Joint Struggle Headquarters,” formed by multiple unions at Samsung Electronics, announced that support for the strike that had been underway since the 9th of this month reached as high as 93.1. The union is expected to launch an 18-day general strike in late May. At a time when the global boom in data center construction continued to drive up demand for semiconductors, this move could cause wild swings in the global AI semiconductor supply chain.

POSCO International said on Monday that it was accelerating efforts to build a stable global supply chain for heavy rare earths, a key component in EV motors, by establishing its first corporate venture capital (CVC) fund. The company said it had set up a 25 billion won (about $16 million) CVC fund in partnership with POSCO Venture Capital, marking its first such initiative. As the fund’s first deployment, the company will invest 8 billion won in a China rare earth separation and refining specialist enterprise.

On November 14 2025, Malaysia launched the region’s first electric vehicle (EV) battery passport standard, MS 2018 Similar to initiatives under the European DDP for battery industry, MS 2818 will serve as a digital record of the EV battery lifecycle, from production to disposal. It is intended to support transparency, sustainability, and traceability across the entire EV supply chain.

On March 25, the SMM average price of battery-grade nickel sulphate remained stable.

[SMM Rare Earth Bulletin] Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and US President Trump reached an agreement under which both sides will strengthen cooperation on critical minerals to enhance supply chain resilience. The two countries signed a preliminary agreement to jointly develop deep-sea mineral resources, including rare earth-rich mud resources around Minamitorishima. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Department of Commerce will establish a working group to advance technical cooperation on projects involving rare earth mud and manganese nodules. In addition, Mitsubishi Materials is cooperating with US-based ReElement Technologies on a project in Indiana to recycle rare earths from waste magnets.

According to the latest customs data, in January 2026, China’s imports of copper-zinc alloy (brass) bars and rods were 2,050.01 mt in physical content, down 8.37% MoM and up 24.53% YoY. In February, China’s imports of copper-zinc alloy (brass) bars and rods were 1,344.87 mt in physical content, down 34.4% MoM and down 36.67% YoY, showing an overall sharp decline. Cumulative imports in January-February 2026 were 3,394.87, down 9.94% YoY cumulatively. (HS codes 74072111, 74072119, 74072190).

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China's copper foil (HS codes: 74101100, 74102190) imports were 7,133.71 mt in January 2026, up 15.77% YoY and down 0.69% MoM...

On March 19, Junda Shares (002865.SZ) stated on the investor interaction platform that current high silver prices were putting certain pressure on the cost of PV silver paste. The company was adopting a two-pronged strategy in response: first, smoothing raw material price fluctuations through refined supply chain management; second, continuously advancing the R&D and application of low-silver and silver-free technologies to reduce silver paste consumption per unit of solar cell and ease cost pressure.