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 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

Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2027

Shanghai Metals Expo 2026

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

Indonesia Nickel & Cobalt & EV Industry Conference 2024

CLNB 2024 9TH CHINA NEW ENERGY EXPO

South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will launch regulatory exemption projects to recover critical minerals from semiconductor process waste, used batteries and end-of-life solar panels.
The government plans to test technologies that recover silicon, copper, titanium and tungsten from semiconductor waste such as used silicon and targets, while reviewing regulatory changes to use such byproducts as circular resources rather than waste.
Critical mineral recovery from used batteries and end-of-life solar panels will also be included in the demonstrations.

South Korea to Ease Regulations to Foster Urban Mining

According to Chinese media outlet Eastmoney on September 15, Hyundai Motor Group has established a strategic partnership with Umicore in the field of EV battery cathode materials.
The partnership focuses on high-nickel cathode active materials (CAM), a key material for high-performance batteries. Based on its advanced materials technology, Umicore is expected to supply materials for Hyundai Motor Group’s EV battery systems in Europe.
The two companies did not disclose detailed terms of the partnership, including supply volume, contract value, vehicle models or battery platforms.

Hyundai Motor Forms High-Nickel Cathode Materials Alliance With Umicore

Kia unveiled the PV7 for the first time at IAA Transportation 2026, the world’s largest commercial vehicle exhibition, held in Hanover, Germany, on September 14.
The PV7 is Kia’s second dedicated electrified PBV following the PV5 launched last year. It is a large model that combines a flexible body structure that can be adapted for different use cases with electrified performance, in-vehicle software and fleet operation solutions.
The PV7 is based on Kia’s dedicated PBV electric platform, E-GMP.S. Based on the platform, Kia secured a wide, flat interior and cargo space while applying 71.5 kWh and 96.2 kWh NCM high-voltage batteries, a high-efficiency electric drive system and an 800 V charging system.
The model will be offered in Standard and Long Range versions. The Long Range Cargo Long variant can travel more than 460 km under Europe’s WLTP standard, based on Kia’s own measurements.

Kia Unveils Large Electrified PBV PV7 for First Time

SK Innovation said on September 14 that it currently has no additional business restructuring plans following its absorption merger of SK IE Technology (SKIET).
The company has been carrying out large-scale business portfolio restructuring, or rebalancing, to improve its financial structure, but said no decisions have been made beyond the SKIET merger.
SK Innovation also said it is not considering an initial public offering (IPO) for SK On.

SK Innovation Says It Has No Plans for SK On IPO

Today, SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate spot prices continued to drift lower compared with the previous working day. The lithium carbonate 2701 contract opened lower at 132,400 yuan/mt today. After the open, bears kept up the pressure, and prices drifted lower, hitting a low of 127,100 yuan/mt. Subsequently, dip-buying emerged at lows, and prices rebounded to around 130,000 yuan/mt. Around midday, prices moved sideways below the average price line. In the afternoon, bulls briefly pushed prices up sharply, but the move was not sustained, and prices pulled back again. Near the close, prices consolidated at lows around 129,100 yuan/mt, eventually closing down 3.32% at 129,100 yuan/mt. Open interest increased by 7,123 lots.

In the spot market, as prices drifted lower to new lows, downstream dip-buying and stockpiling were active. Upstream lithium chemical plants showed strong willingness to hold spot order prices firm, with limited selling. Overall, market inquiries and actual transactions remained active.

SMM Daily Review: Spot lithium carbonate prices continued to drift lower on September 15

According to Canada Nickel on September 14, the company has selected Komatsu and its Canadian dealer SMS Equipment to provide loading, hauling and supporting mining equipment for the Crawford nickel-cobalt sulphide project.
Canada Nickel expects to purchase more than 300 pieces of equipment over the project’s roughly 40-year mine life, with a total current value of approximately C$1.5 billion. The parties aim to finalize the agreement by the first quarter of 2027.
Crawford is 100%-owned by Canada Nickel and is the company’s flagship nickel-cobalt sulphide project. The selection of key equipment suppliers marks another step toward construction readiness. Komatsu’s proposed solutions also include autonomous haulage, fleet management and electrification technologies.
As equipment procurement and engineering preparations advance, the Crawford project is moving closer to commercial development and could strengthen future North American supply of domestic nickel and cobalt resources.

Canada Nickel Selects Komatsu and SMS Equipment for Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Project, Plans C$1.5 Billion Fleet Purchase

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	-420.29	Sep 15
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	-375.34	Sep 15
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	-103.39	Sep 15
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	0	Sep 15
Electrolyte	China Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	-3.45	Sep 15
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	-0.82	Sep 15

Production and sales data

Events&Field Trip