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2026 SMM GRMI RENEWABLE METAL INDUSTRY CHAIN SUMMIT（NINGBO）

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

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

2026 SMM Germany Solar & Energy Storage Forum

Africa Critical Minerals Conference 2026

2026 SMM ASEAN Automotive Supply Chain Conference

Shanghai Metals Expo 2026

Indonesia Nickel & Cobalt & EV Industry Conference 2024

CLNB 2024 9TH CHINA NEW ENERGY EXPO

2026 SMM H1 London Seminar

[SMM Analysis] The Real Barriers to Upgrading Africa’s Battery Metals Value Chain

The American Clean Power Association said US developers brought 6.4GW of new utility-scale solar, wind and energy storage capacity online in Q1 2026, lifting total domestic clean power capacity above 370GW. Additions included 3.63GW of utility-scale solar, 2.38GW of storage and 415MW of wind, with utility-scale solar now surpassing wind as the largest source of clean power capacity in the US. However, Q1 additions were down 17% year on year, mainly due to 6.4GW of projects originally expected online being delayed. ACP is tracking 59.5GW of delayed projects, affected by permitting delays, interconnection backlogs and fluctuating equipment prices. SMM believes the US solar and storage pipeline remains strong, but actual delivery will continue to be constrained by grid connection, permitting and supply chain challenges.

[Solar: US adds 6.4GW of utility-scale clean power in Q1 2026]

Australia installed 435MW of residential rooftop solar in April 2026, up 30% MoM. The strong month was driven by installations ahead of changes to the Cheaper Home Batteries Program on May 1. Rooftop PV uptake fell 22% MoM in May, but remained 46% higher than May 2025.

[Solar: Australia adds 435MW of residential rooftop PV in April]

[SMM Photovoltaic: India’s Solar Manufacturing Capacity Eyed to Hit 250 GW by 2030] India’s domestic solar module manufacturing capacity has surged to a massive 172 GW, up from just 3 GW a decade ago. Insiders believe this capacity is projected to reach 250 GW by FY2030.
This explosive growth is backed by various government measures that support the backward integration on domestic solar chain. These measures include the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), which requires project developers to source modules and cells from an approved list of domestic manufacturers. Nevertheless, India's domestic cell manufacturing lags behind at 27 GW, signaling the heavy reliance on imported upstream components, likely sourced from China.

[SMM Photovoltaic] India’s Solar Manufacturing Capacity Eyed to Hit 250 GW by 2030

On June 3, the Yichang Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment issued a public notice soliciting comments on the draft environmental impact report for the 300,000-ton waste lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling project of Yichang Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. This project is an expansion, with a total investment of 1,065.5119 million yuan. Upon completion, the project will have an annual processing capacity of 300,000 tons of waste LFP battery packs, including waste LFP power battery packs, battery modules, battery cells, battery powder, electrode sheet powder, and related materials.

[Lithium Battery: Brunp Recycling Invests Over 1 Billion Yuan In Waste LFP Battery Recycling Project]

After several months of technical issues and operational adjustments, the Ambatovy mining project in Madagascar has announced the gradual resumption of its nickel and cobalt production in Toamasina. As one of the largest foreign investments in the country, the project plays a significant role in the national economy. Its mining operations in the Moramanga region and processing activities in Toamasina make substantial contributions to exports and government revenues. The restart comes amid a gradual recovery in global demand for strategic metals such as nickel and cobalt, particularly driven by growing demand from the electric vehicle battery and energy storage sectors, creating new opportunities for Madagascar’s mining industry.

Ambatovy restarts its cobalt and nickel production

On June 2, 2026, Yang Dezhi, Party Secretary and Chairman of Meishan Xingmei Investment Group, led a delegation and headed to Pingshan headquarters for a field trip and exchange, and officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement with FinDreams Battery. FinDreams Battery Deputy General Manager Zhao Tong, BYD Energy Storage and New-Type Battery Division General Manager Yin Xueqin, and other leaders attended the event and witnessed the signing ceremony. In the future, both parties will accelerate the implementation of the agreement, deepening cooperation with a focus on the co-construction of heavy truck fast charging and energy replenishment networks, zero-carbon park construction, power battery support, and hard carbon anode resource development.

FinDreams Battery and Sichuan Meishan Xingmei Investment Group Officially Sign Framework Cooperation Agreement

According to industry sources on June 5, POSCO Holdings received RIGI approval from the Argentine government for its Sal de Oro lithium project in Argentina.
RIGI is a framework designed to attract large-scale investment in strategic industries such as energy, mining and technology. Once approved, companies can expect benefits such as lower corporate taxes, tariff exemptions and eased foreign exchange regulations.

POSCO Holdings Receives RIGI Approval for Argentina Lithium Project

According to EV media outlet Electrek on June 4 local time, Nissan is launching a project to develop “Cost-effective, Resilient Solid-state Li-S” batteries together with UK battery company Gelion, Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) and the University of Oxford.
The project will run for three years, with a total budget of around GBP 3.4 million, or about USD 4.5 million. Of this, Gelion will receive around GBP 2.4 million, or about USD 3.2 million, in UK government funding.
The key focus of the project is the development of solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries using sulfur-based cathode materials.

Nissan Begins Solid-State Battery Development, Aims to Reduce Costs with Sulfur-based Materials

Zeekr Korea unveiled the premium midsize electric SUV “7X” in South Korea and will begin full-scale sales in the second half of this year.
In South Korea, the model will be offered in three trims: Pro, Max and Ultra. The Pro trim is equipped with Zeekr’s self-developed 75 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) “Golden Battery.” The Max and Ultra trims are equipped with 100 kWh high-performance nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries supplied by CATL.
The Pro and Max trims each feature a single electric motor, delivering a maximum output of 421 hp and maximum torque of 45 kgf·m. Their certified driving ranges are 375 km and 483 km, respectively.
The Ultra trim is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model based on a dual-motor system, with motors mounted on the front and rear axles. It delivers up to 645 hp and maximum torque of 72.4 kgf·m, with a maximum driving range of 440 km.

Zeekr Korea Unveils Its First New Model, the 7X

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

The 4th National Excellent PhD Student Forum on Magnesium Materials

Category	Price Description	Change	Date
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate USD/tonne	+77.93	Jun 08
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	-18.1	Jun 08
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (EV Type, Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	+16.4	Jun 08
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	0	Jun 08
Electrolyte	China Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	-13.93	Jun 08
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	-3.33	Jun 08

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