Consulting

GET FOR FREE

Latest Reports

SMM DatebasePro

SMM meetings and events in 2024

Shanghai Metals Market

To meet your business needs

SMM Free Webinar(1)

WebKit

2026 SMM Germany Solar & Energy Storage Forum

Africa Critical Minerals Conference 2026

2026 SMM ASEAN Automotive Supply Chain Conference

Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026

Shanghai Metals Expo 2026

Indonesia Nickel & Cobalt & EV Industry Conference 2024

CLNB 2024 9TH CHINA NEW ENERGY EXPO

2026 SMM H1 London Seminar

AICE 2026 SMM (21st）Aluminum Industry Conference & Expo

AICE 2025 SMM (14th) Aluminum Industry Annual Conference

[SMM Hydrogen Cost] 20260520

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Meeting Summary] Polysilicon: N-type recharging polysilicon was quoted at 34.1-36.1 yuan/kg. Polysilicon prices were relatively stable overall, with almost no new order signing in the market. Currently, top-tier players plan to resume production successively, and the market is watching related meetings and specific production resumption developments. Wafer: Market prices for 18X wafers were 0.9-0.93 yuan/piece, 210RN wafers at 1.00-1.03 yuan/piece, and 210N wafers at 1.2-1.23 yuan/piece. Wafer prices have remained stable overall in recent days.

Silicon Metal in the Doldrums, Wafer Prices Generally Stable [SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Meeting Minutes]

[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Continued to Fall on May 19]

Today, SMM battery-grade spot lithium carbonate prices fluctuated downward compared to the previous working day. Futures side, the lithium carbonate 2609 contract opened high at 191,000 yuan/mt today, then quickly pulled back after the opening. During the morning session, it fluctuated downward and broke below the average price line. Around midday, it accelerated its decline to a daily low of 182,100 yuan/mt (a drop of over 5%). In the afternoon session, it rebounded slightly but struggled to rebound further, weakening again toward the close, ultimately settling down 3.71% at 184,400 yuan/mt, with open interest decreasing by 20,533 lots.

Spot market, lithium carbonate prices pulled back from highs after the previous rapid rally, which notably stimulated downstream inquiries and purchasing enthusiasm. Upstream lithium chemical plants still maintained willingness to hold prices firm, and some enterprises that had hedged at previous highs increased spot order shipments to downstream buyers. Overall, inquiries and actual transactions in the spot market were active. Lithium prices are expected to have limited downside in the short term and are expected to hover at highs.

SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Continued to Decline on May 19

On May 19, the National Energy Administration released data on PV power generation construction in Q1 2026. New grid connection capacity in Q1 2026 reached 41.189 million kW, of which centralized PV power stations accounted for 19.619 million kW and distributed PV accounted for 21.570 million kW.

[SMM PV] National Energy Administration: New PV Grid Connection Capacity Reached 41,189 MW in Q1 2026

CIM Group has launched Permanent Power Company, a national platform focused on solar, battery storage and transmission infrastructure in the US. Its current portfolio includes 652MW of solar, 360MW/1,440MWh of BESS and transmission assets in California, with future projects expected to lift the platform to around 1.2GW of solar and 690MW/2,760MWh of BESS.

[Solar: CIM launches US solar-storage power platform]

Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, will invest $250 million in its German factory to increase EV battery cell production capacity. As sales recover in the European market, Tesla is using this investment to further boost its overall output in the region. The Berlin-Brandenburg Gigafactory is Tesla's first manufacturing base in Europe. The "Gigafactory," which began production in March 2022, produces hundreds of thousands of Model Y vehicles as well as millions of battery cells — the energy storage units that power electric vehicles.

"Tesla Invests $250M in German Gigafactory to Boost EV Battery Production as European Sales Recover"

After a prolonged wave of price cuts, the automotive market has entered a rare price-hike cycle in the fiercely competitive year of 2026. Changan Automobile and BYD have both recently announced price increases on select models. Changan's Qiyuan Q07 Tianshu Intelligent Laser Edition has seen its official suggested retail price raised by 3,000 yuan, while BYD's optional add-on price for the assisted-driving laser edition on certain models will increase from 9,900 yuan to 12,000 yuan — a rise of 2,100 yuan. The announcements have sent shockwaves through the industry.

Changan and BYD Raise Prices on Select Models Amid Competitive 2026 Automotive Market

On May 12, Yutong Group and CATL signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding in Ningde, Fujian. The partnership will focus on four core areas: joint overseas expansion, full-scenario electrification of commercial vehicles, heavy-duty truck battery swapping, and co-branding.

Yutong and CATL Sign MOU for Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation in Electrification and Overseas Expansion

Fast charging is a key enabler of EV adoption, but has long been seen as a hidden cost to battery longevity. Now, a research team from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand has developed an AI-based fast-charging strategy that dynamically adjusts the charging process in real time based on battery health — extending EV battery life by nearly 23% without increasing charging time. The findings have been published in the latest issue of the IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

AI-Powered Fast Charging Extends EV Battery Life by 23% Without Increasing Charging Time

On May 15, six institutions — including Europe-headquartered Stellantis Group — participated in the restructuring of Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile (DPCA), with total investment exceeding 8 billion yuan, primarily directed toward the new energy vehicle sector. This marks an important shift for China's auto industry from "bringing in" to "going global," reflecting the completeness of China's NEV industrial and supply chain and its strong appeal to global capital.

Stellantis and Five Others Invest Over $1.2B in DPCA's NEV Restructuring

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	-1019.14	May 20
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	-539.33	May 19
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (EV Type, Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	-141.48	May 19
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	0	May 19
Electrolyte	China Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	+93.09	May 19
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	+6.82	May 19

Production and sales data

Events&Field Trip