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2026 SMM H1 London Seminar

AFRICA CRITICAL MINERALS FORUM 2026

2026 SMM Automotive Supply Chain Conference

Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026

Indonesia Nickel & Cobalt & EV Industry Conference 2024

CLNB 2024 9TH CHINA NEW ENERGY EXPO

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

Shanghai Metals Expo 2025

AICE 2025 SMM (14th) Aluminum Industry Annual Conference

SMM Indonesia Seminar: Li-ion Battery & Energy Storage

Iran's Foreign Minister Declared Hormuz Strait "Open"! International Oil Prices Plunged Sharply in the Short Term

On April 16, Leap Motor D19 was officially launched, offering 7 car models with a selling price range of 219,800–269,800 yuan. As the first car model in the D series, the new vehicle was built on the LEAP 4.0 technology architecture, equipped with dual Qualcomm 8797 chips, VLA advanced driving assistance functions, and automotive-grade oxygen cabin configurations. Power side, Leap Motor D19 offered both range-extended and pure electric powertrains. The range-extended version was built on an 800V high-voltage platform with a 1.5T range extender. The tri-motor version had a combined system power of 400 kW and achieved 0-100 km/h acceleration in the 4-second range, paired with an 80.3 kWh CATL battery pack, delivering a CLTC pure electric driving range of up to 500 km.

Equipped with Dual Qualcomm 8797 Chips, Leap Motor D19 Starting at a Selling Price of 219,800 Yuan

On April 16, Huawei's Managing Director Yu Chengdong announced that the AITO M8 had surpassed 170,000 units in deliveries in its first year since launch, successfully claiming the annual sales championship among SUVs in the 400,000-yuan class.

AITO M8 Surpassed 170,000 Deliveries in Its First Year Since Launch

The Industry Coordination and Development Branch of the China Automobile Dealers Association stated as the Beijing International Auto Show in late April gradually gained momentum, multiple heavyweight new models were launched in quick succession to stimulate consumer demand, and the front-loading of car purchase demand ahead of the Labour Day holiday provided a boosting effect, the passenger vehicle market was expected to recover steadily in the second half of April, maintaining a stable and positive operating pace. Taking the above factors into account, end-user sales of passenger vehicles for the full month of April were projected to reach 1.6 million units.

"Passenger Car Market to Recover Steadily in Late April, Full-Month Sales Expected at 1.6M Units"

[Secondary Lead Market Update] It was reported that recently, the Hefei Branch of Bank of Jiujiang, in response to the characteristics of the secondary lead industry — "capital-intensive raw material procurement and urgent production turnover needs" — assembled a professional team and customized a comprehensive financial service plan, ultimately approving a credit line of 280 million yuan for Anhui Lukong Environmental Protection Co., Ltd.

Bank of Jiujiang Hefei Branch Approves 280M Yuan Credit Line for Anhui Lukong Environmental Protection

On April 16, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd. released its first quarter report for 2026. During the reporting period, Huayou Cobalt achieved operating revenue of 25.804 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 44.62%; total profit of 3.692 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 100.49%; net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company of 2.497 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 99.45%; and net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses of 2.070 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 68.76%. As of the end of the first quarter, Huayou Cobalt's total assets reached 174.669 billion yuan, an increase of 9.55% compared to the end of the previous year.

[Lithium Battery: Huayou Cobalt's Q1 2026 Revenue Exceeds 25.8 Billion Yuan]

On April 16, Easpring disclosed that it is accelerating the layout of its lithium iron phosphate integrated business. Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co., Ltd. signed "Equity Transfer Agreements" on April 15, 2026, with Zhejiang Youshan New Material Technology Co., Ltd. and Yunnan Yuntianhua Co., Ltd. regarding the transfer of partial equity interests in Yunnan Youtian New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Yunnan Yunyuneng New Materials Co., Ltd., respectively. Easpring plans to use its own or self-raised funds totaling 145 million yuan to purchase 51% equity in Youtian Technology and 49% equity in Juneng New Material held by Youshan Technology.

[Cathode: Easpring Plans To Invest In 350,000 Tons/Year Lithium Iron Phosphate Project]

On April 17, the State Council Information Office held a press conference in the series of "Starting the 15th Five-Year Plan," The development of the low-altitude economy must take safety as a prerequisite — without safety, there is no low-altitude economy. At the same time, it should be underpinned by industry, with consolidating and enhancing industrial development advantages as the guiding orientation. Efforts should be made to intensify the development of new-type aircraft such as large-payload fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and long-endurance vertical take-off and landing aircraft, build a spectrum of key low-altitude equipment, drive supporting industries along the upstream and downstream chain, and develop comprehensive cluster development hubs tailored to local conditions.

China Emphasizes Safety and Industry Development in Low-Altitude Economy Plan

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

Review and Outlook: Nickel, Stainless Steel and Feedstock of Stainless Steel

Category	Price Description	Change	Date
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate USD/tonne	+240.27	Apr 17
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	+274.2	Apr 17
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (EV Type, Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	+56.36	Apr 17
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	0	Apr 17
Electrolyte	China Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	-10.7	Apr 17
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	-3.02	Apr 17

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