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2026 SMM Australia Metals & Mining Investment Seminar

2026 SMM London Metals Forum

2026 SMM AICE Asia Aluminum Conference

ASEAN Solar Storage Summit 2026

SMM CCAE 2026 15th COPPER INDUSTRY ANNUAL CONFERENCE

ASCC 2026 SMM 8th Automotive Supply Chain Conference & Industry Collaboration Forum

2026 SMM (3rd) South China Non-Ferrous Metals Annual Conference

Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2027

Shanghai Metals Expo 2026

SMM (11th) Annual Nickel Conference 2026 - Ni Cr Mn Stainless Steel Event

August Market Analysis: Sodium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Advances, Cell Recovery Signals Strengthen

[SMM Analysis] Lithium Carbonate Prices Dip, Chile Exports 24,100 mt in August

According to Chile customs export data, Chile's total lithium carbonate exports in August 2026 reached 24,100 mt, up 3.07% MoM and up 42.48% YoY. Of this, exports to China were 14,261 mt, down 5.25% MoM but up 9.85% YoY; exports to South Korea were 6,630 mt, up 64.8% MoM and up 118.86% YoY; exports to Japan were 1,164 mt, down 26.75% MoM but up 112.2% YoY. In August 2026, Chile's total lithium sulfate exports to China were 16,300 mt, up 111.83% MoM and up 136.24% YoY.

Chile's lithium carbonate exports in August 2026 totaled 24,100 mt, with lithium sulfate exports at 16,300 mt

According to South Korean media on September 7, battery materials producer Cosmo AM&T has signed a KRW 15 billion share subscription agreement with FINO. Cosmo AM&T will participate in FINO’s third-party private placement, subscribing for about 2.69 million common shares and taking an expected 3.13% stake upon completion.
FINO focuses on NCM precursor supply and is expanding into LFP cathode materials and battery recycling. Its largest shareholder is ZOOMWE HONG KONG, a subsidiary of CNGR Advanced Material. Cosmo AM&T said the transaction is a strategic investment rather than a purely financial one, with both companies planning to deepen cooperation across the secondary battery materials sector.
Cosmo AM&T aims to leverage FINO’s global supply network and materials capabilities to strengthen raw material and precursor procurement. The investment also supports Cosmo Group’s integrated supply chain, extending from Cosmo Chemical’s nickel sulfate and cobalt sulfate production to Cosmo AM&T’s precursor and cathode materials businesses. The two companies also plan to explore cooperation in areas including LFP materials to improve supply security, competitiveness and vertical integration.

Cosmo AM&T to Invest KRW 15 Billion in FINO, Strengthening Cobalt Salt–Precursor–Cathode Supply Chain

 [SMM Analysis]August Lithium Battery Recycling: Production Surges, Nickel Sulphate Up 6%, Prices Fluctuate

According to LG Energy Solution on September 7, the company and Seoul National University have made progress in lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) battery technology by addressing gas generation and capacity degradation in large-format cells. By optimizing the charge-discharge voltage window and material activation conditions, the team validated the technology in 40Ah-class cells, which retained 92.2% of their initial energy after 883 cycles.
LMR cathodes use a high-manganese chemistry that can significantly reduce nickel use and cut or even eliminate cobalt, offering potential cost and resource-security benefits. LG Energy Solution said the results improve the feasibility of applying LMR materials in large EV cells and support further commercialization. As high-manganese, low-nickel and cobalt-free cathode technologies advance, they could gradually reduce cobalt demand from conventional high-nickel ternary cathodes.

LG Energy Solution Advances LMR Large-Cell Technology, Moving Low-/Cobalt-Free Batteries Closer to Commercialization

According to overseas industry media on September 7, citing official DRC data, state-owned artisanal cobalt buyer Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) exported 3,531 tonnes of contained cobalt, equivalent to about 9,948 tonnes of cobalt hydroxide, in the first half of 2026, ranking it as the country’s fifth-largest cobalt hydroxide exporter. Total contained cobalt exports from 21 DRC mining operators reached about 41,140 tonnes during the period.
EGC also processed around 2,820 tonnes of traceable artisanal cobalt in H1, indicating that formalized artisanal mining is developing into a more stable commercial supply source. The company, owned by Gécamines, is responsible for formalizing the purchase and marketing of artisanal cobalt.
As the DRC continues implementing export quotas and strengthening artisanal mining regulation, EGC’s role in the country’s cobalt supply chain is expanding. Authorities are also promoting designated artisanal mining zones, cooperative oversight, insurance and third-party certification to improve traceability, safety and international acceptance of artisanal cobalt.

EGC Becomes DRC’s Fifth-Largest Cobalt Hydroxide Exporter in H1

The CPCA released data showing that in August, passenger NEV exports reached 518,000 units, up 154.7% YoY and down 5.0% MoM. NEVs accounted for 58.4% of passenger vehicle exports, up 18 percentage points compared to the same period last year. Among these, pure electric vehicles accounted for 63.4% of NEV exports (66.0% in the same period last year). In August, the top performers in NEV exports were BYD (184,446 units), Geely (69,910 units), Chery (68,431 units), Tesla China (36,119 units), Changan Automobile (28,323 units), SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle (24,991 units), Leap Motor (18,255 units), and SAIC-GM-Wuling (17,376 units).

August NEV Exports Surge 154.7% YoY, BYD Leads with 184,446 Units

NLC India Renewables Ltd has received a letter of intent from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd to develop a 275 MW/550 MWh standalone battery energy storage system at a rate of Rs 231,989 per MW per month. The award, part of a 450 MW/900 MWh tender floated in June 2026, will be backed by a 12-year battery energy storage purchase agreement. The project is eligible for viability gap funding of Rs 1.8 million per MWh and must guarantee 95% annual system availability, 85% AC-to-AC round-trip efficiency, and at least 20% local content.

[Energy Storage: NLC India subsidiary wins 275 MW/550 MWh BESS project in Gujarat]

The Future of Indonesia NPI and Asian Stainless Steel

Indonesia ESDM New HPM Formula & Nickel Market Updates

2025-2026 Global PV Market Review & Outlook: Navigating Geopolitics and Policy Shifts

SMM FREE WEBINAR: Sulfur Market: 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook

Impact of Iran Situation on Aluminum & Zinc Chains: A China-Based Market Outlook

SMM Africa Webinar: Strategic Sharing & Insights of Copper, Aluminium, New Energy, and Iron Ore Market

Lithium Is Moving Again — What It Really Means for BESS Costs and Procurement Strategy

Asia Copper and Aluminum Scrap 2025 Market Review and 2026 Outlook

SMM Aluminium Year-End Review: Indonesia 's Value Chain Acceleration - Tighter Quotas, Refinery Ramps & the Path to Aluminum Powerhouse Status

SMM Online Webinar: Nickel in Turmoil - Decoding Indonesia’s Policy Evolution & The Future of Global Supply

Category	Price Description	Change	Date
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate USD/tonne	-108.23	Sep 08
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	-145.64	Sep 08
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	-27.01	Sep 08
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	0	Sep 08
Electrolyte	China Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	+2.65	Sep 08
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	+0.63	Sep 08

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