As of March 3, the operating rate of 50 electric-furnace steel mills nationwide that mainly produce construction steel was 10.76%, up 10.76% MoM from the previous period; the capacity utilization rate was 6.88%, up 6.88% MoM from the previous period; the daily average production of construction steel was 15,300 mt, up 15,300 mt MoM. During the survey period (February 24–March 3), domestic spot construction steel prices fluctuated this week. After the holiday, downstream end-users had not fully resumed work, and purchases were mostly small, rigid demand. Overall market trading sentiment was subdued, and many regional markets showed a pattern of quoted prices but little to no transactions. Domestic electric-furnace steel mills’ production resumptions continued to advance. Within this week, 11 electric-furnace enterprises resumed production in succession, driving a rapid rebound in the overall operating rate of electric furnaces, and construction steel production posted a notable increase MoM. Looking ahead, most electric-furnace steel mills were set to implement production resumption plans in a concentrated manner next week. As a result, the domestic electric-furnace operating rate was expected to see a sharp rebound, and supply on the construction steel side was set to expand further.

1. Tender Conditions For this tender project, Reduced Iron Powder (Second Tender) for February 2026 of the Metallurgical Materials Company (PGPYNSHGZHD260303270894), the bid inviter is the Refractories Division of Pangang Metallurgical Materials Co., Ltd. The funds for the tender project are self-raised. The project has met the tender conditions and is now open for public tendering. 2. Project Overview and Scope of Tender 2.1 Project Name: Reduced Iron Powder (Second Tender) for February 2026 of the Metallurgical Materials Company 2.2 If the tender fails, it will be converted to other procurement methods: converted to negotiated procurement, converted to direct procurement 2.3 The tender content, scope, and scale of this project are detailed in the attachment “Material List Attachment.pdf”. 3. Bidder Qualification Requirements 3.1 Consortium bidding is not permitted for this tender. 3.2 This tender requires that bidders possess the following qualification requirements: (1) Manufacturing business license (2) Distribution business license 3.3 This tender requires that bidders meet the following registered capital requirements: Manufacturing registered capital: 2 million yuan and above Distribution registered capital: 1 million yuan and above 3.4 This tender requires that bidders have the following performance requirements: A scanned copy of at least one issued main business contract or VAT invoice must be provided. 3.5 This tender requires that bidders have the following capability requirements, financial requirements, and other requirements: Financial requirements: see the attachment (if needed) Capability requirements: see the attachment (if needed) Other requirements: see the attachment (if needed) 3.6 For projects that are legally required to be tendered, bids submitted by dishonest persons subject to enforcement shall be invalid. 4. Acquisition of Tender Documents 4.1 Any party intending to participate in the bidding shall, from 09:00 on March 04, 2026 to 09:00 on March 24, 2026 (Beijing time, the same hereinafter), log in to the Ansteel Intelligent Tender and Bid Platform at http://bid.ansteel.cn to download the electronic tender documents. Click to view tender details:

[SMM Tin Morning Brief: SHFE Tin's Most-Traded Contract Fluctuates at Highs During Night Session Spot Market Transactions Remain Sluggish]

On February 26, foreign media reported that POSCO and SK On have signed a long-term lithium supply agreement aimed at stabilizing the battery materials supply chain. According to the agreement, POSCO will supply SK On with over 25,000 tons of lithium from 2026 to 2028. This volume is sufficient to produce batteries for approximately 400,000 electric vehicles. It is understood that the lithium will be produced at POSCO Argentina SAU's Hombre Muerto salt flat in Salta Province, Argentina. Meanwhile, SK On indicated that the lithium could potentially also be used for energy storage systems.

NBS data showed that in February, the manufacturing PMI was 49.0%, down 0.3 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a pullback in the manufacturing sector’s prosperity level. In February, the non-manufacturing business activity index was 49.5%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating an improvement in the non-manufacturing sector’s prosperity level. In February, the composite PMI output index was 49.5%, down 0.3 percentage points from the previous month, indicating that overall production and business activities of enterprises in China slowed down from the previous month. Huo Lihui, Chief Statistician of the NBS Service Sector Survey Center, interpreted China’s PMI for February 2026. Performance of China’s PMI in February 2026 I. Performance of China’s Manufacturing PMI In February, the manufacturing PMI was 49.0%, down 0.3 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a pullback in the manufacturing sector’s prosperity level. By enterprise size, the PMI for large enterprises was 51.5%, up 1.2 percentage points from the previous month and above the threshold; the PMIs for medium- and small-sized enterprises were 47.5% and 44.8%, down 1.2 and 2.6 percentage points from the previous month, respectively, and below the threshold. By sub-index, among the five sub-indices that make up the manufacturing PMI, the production index, new orders index, raw material inventory index, employment index, and supplier delivery time index were all below the threshold. The production index was 49.6%, down 1.0 percentage points from the previous month, indicating that manufacturing production activities slowed down. The new orders index was 48.6%, down 0.6 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a decline in the prosperity of market demand in the manufacturing sector. The raw material inventory index was 47.5%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating that the decline in inventories of major raw materials in the manufacturing sector narrowed slightly. The employment index was 48.0%, down 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a slight pullback in the employment prosperity of manufacturing enterprises. The supplier delivery time index was 49.1%, down 1.0 percentage points from the previous month, indicating that delivery times of raw material suppliers in the manufacturing sector slowed compared with the previous month. II. Performance of China’s Non-Manufacturing PMI In February, the non-manufacturing business activity index was 49.5%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating an improvement in the non-manufacturing sector’s prosperity level. By industry, the construction business activity index was 48.2%, down 0.6 percentage points from the previous month; the services business activity index was 49.7%, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month. From the perspective of service industries, the business activity indices for industries such as accommodation, catering, and culture/sports/entertainment were all in a high prosperity range above 60.0%; the business activity indices for industries such as capital market services and real estate were all below the threshold. The new orders index was 45.2%, down 0.9 percentage points MoM, indicating a pull back in non-manufacturing market demand. By industry, the new orders index for the construction industry was 42.2%, up 2.1 percentage points MoM; the new orders index for the services industry was 45.7%, down 1.4 percentage points MoM. The input prices index was 50.9%, up 0.9 percentage points MoM, indicating an overall increase in the price level of inputs used by non-manufacturing enterprises for business operations. By industry, the input prices index for the construction industry was 49.1%, down 2.9 percentage points MoM; the input prices index for the services industry was 51.2%, up 1.5 percentage points MoM. The selling price index was 48.8%, unchanged from the previous month and still below the threshold, indicating that the overall level of non-manufacturing selling prices was lower than in the previous month. By industry, the selling price index for the construction industry was 47.6%, down 0.6 percentage points MoM; the selling price index for the services industry was 49.0%, up 0.1 percentage points MoM. The employment index was 46.0%, down 0.1 percentage points MoM, indicating a slight pull back in the employment prosperity of non-manufacturing enterprises. By industry, the employment index for the construction industry was 42.5%, up 1.4 percentage points MoM; the employment index for the services industry was 46.6%, down 0.4 percentage points MoM. The business activity expectations index was 55.0%, down 1.0 percentage point MoM and still in a relatively high prosperity range, indicating that non-manufacturing enterprises remained confident in market development. By industry, the business activity expectations index for the construction industry was 50.9%, up 1.1 percentage points MoM; the business activity expectations index for the services industry was 55.8%, down 1.3 percentage points MoM. III. Performance of China’s Composite PMI Output Index In February, the composite PMI output index was 49.5%, down 0.3 percentage points MoM, indicating that overall production and business activities of enterprises in China slowed down compared with the previous month. In February, the manufacturing PMI pulled back, while the non-manufacturing business activity index rebounded slightly. —Huo Lihui, Chief Statistician of the NBS Service Survey Center, interprets China’s PMI for February 2026 On March 4, 2026, the NBS Service Survey Center and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing released China’s PMI. In this regard, Huo Lihui, Chief Statistician of the Service Industry Survey Center of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), provided an interpretation. In February, affected by factors such as the Chinese New Year holiday, the manufacturing PMI was 49.0, down 0.3 percentage points MoM; the non-manufacturing business activity index was 49.5, up 0.1 percentage points MoM; and the composite PMI output index was 49.5, down 0.3 percentage points MoM. I. The Manufacturing PMI Pulled Back In February, the manufacturing PMI was 49.0, with the prosperity level down from the previous month. Judging from historical data, the PMI in the month that includes the Chinese New Year mostly shows some fluctuations. In particular, this year’s Chinese New Year holiday was extended and fell entirely in mid-to-late February, which had some impact on enterprises’ production and operations, and overall market activity in manufacturing declined. (1) Both supply and demand slowed down. The production index and the new orders index were 49.6 and 48.6, down 1.0 and 0.6 percentage points MoM, respectively, indicating a pullback in manufacturing production and market demand. By industry, the production index and new orders index for industries such as agricultural and sideline food processing and computers, communications and electronic equipment were both above the critical point, with supply and demand prosperity remaining in expansion; in industries such as textiles, apparel and accessories and automobiles, both indices remained below the critical point, with weak market activity. (2) The PMI for large enterprises continued to expand. The PMI for large enterprises was 51.5, up 1.2 percentage points MoM, with production and operations remaining in expansion; small and medium-sized enterprises were more affected by the Chinese New Year holiday, with PMIs of 47.5 and 44.8 this month, down 1.2 and 2.6 percentage points MoM, respectively, and their prosperity levels pulled back. (3) Growth momentum in high-tech manufacturing continued to emerge. The high-tech manufacturing PMI was 51.5, remaining in expansion territory and significantly higher than the overall manufacturing level, indicating a favorable development trend in related industries; the consumer goods industry PMI was 48.8, up 0.5 percentage points MoM, with a rebound in the prosperity level; the PMIs for equipment manufacturing and high energy-consuming industries were 49.8 and 47.8, down 0.3 and 0.1 percentage points MoM, respectively, with their prosperity levels pulling back. (4) Enterprise expectations improved. The index of expectations for production and business activities was 53.2, up 0.6 percentage points MoM, indicating that manufacturing enterprises’ confidence in market development after the Chinese New Year strengthened. By industry, the index of expectations for production and business activities in industries such as general equipment and railway, ship, aerospace and aviation equipment was above 56.0, in a relatively high prosperity range, and related enterprises were more optimistic about near-term industry development. II. Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index Edged Up Slightly In February, the non-manufacturing business activity index stood at 49.5%, up 0.1 percentage point from the previous month, indicating some improvement in the overall prosperity level of the non-manufacturing sector. (I) The service sector’s prosperity level rebounded. The service sector business activity index was 49.7%, up 0.2 percentage point from the previous month. By industry, driven by the Chinese New Year holiday effect, business volumes grew relatively quickly in industries related to residents’ travel and consumption; among them, the business activity indices for accommodation, catering, and culture, sports and entertainment all remained in the high-prosperity range above 60.0%, while those for retail and air transport rose to above 52.0%. Meanwhile, the business activity indices for capital market services and real estate remained at low levels, with subdued market activity. From the perspective of market expectations, the service sector business activity expectations index was 55.8%, remaining in a relatively high-prosperity range, indicating that service sector enterprises remained optimistic about near-term market developments. (II) The construction sector’s prosperity level declined. Affected by factors such as employees of enterprises returning to their hometowns in large numbers during the Chinese New Year holiday and the suspension of construction at some projects, the construction sector business activity index fell to 48.2%, down 0.6 percentage point from the previous month, and the construction sector’s prosperity level continued to pull back. From the perspective of market expectations, the construction sector business activity expectations index was 50.9%, up 1.1 percentage points from the previous month, returning above the threshold, indicating that construction sector enterprises’ confidence in future industry development had somewhat recovered. III. Composite PMI Output Index Pulled Back In February, the composite PMI output index was 49.5%, down 0.3 percentage point from the previous month, indicating that overall production and business activities of enterprises in China slowed down somewhat MoM. The manufacturing production index and the non-manufacturing business activity index, which make up the composite PMI output index, were 49.6% and 49.5%, respectively.

Against this backdrop, the value of energy storage and grid infrastructure becomes particularly prominent. If conflict persists, the core objective of energy systems will shift from cost optimization to systemic resilience. Distributed energy, microgrids, and storage possess an insurance-like function; their value becomes more visible under extreme conditions. Even if elevated raw material prices increase project costs, higher policy priority may provide long-term support.

The India-Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference was held on February 24, 2026, organized in collaboration with the India-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (IndCham). During the keynote statement, Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, emphasized the vast potential for collaboration in critical minerals, highlighting that the partnership extends beyond natural resources to include digital transformation and modern governance. The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, and mining associations to discuss securing supply chains for essential materials like nickel, lithium, and rare earths, which are vital for the global energy transition and the production of stainless steel and electric vehicles.

On February 25, BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse accompanied German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on a visit to China. During the visit, BMW Group and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) signed a cooperation memorandum of understanding in Beijing, aimed at promoting collaborative carbon reduction in the power battery supply chain, thereby systematically reducing the carbon footprint of electric vehicles.

The UK’s first commercial lithium production project has officially begun operations, marking an important step in securing domestic supplies of critical minerals. Built by Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) in Redruth, Cornwall, the plant will initially produce around 100 tonnes of lithium per year—enough to supply roughly 2,000 electric vehicles. Output is planned to increase to 1,500 tonnes annually within the next few years, and to 18,000 tonnes over the coming decade, with total investment expected to reach about £640 million.

Enterprises must clarify the economic value of recycling and emphasize the final stage of the NEV value chain—recycling and utilization. This reveals an important trend: competition in the NEV sector has shifted from the first half focused on driving range and intelligence to the second half, which emphasizes refueling efficiency, life cycle costs, and environmental friendliness.