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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

April Auto Production and Sales Data Released, NEV Production, Sales and Exports Grew Steadily, What Are the Expectations for May? [SMM Special Report]

Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) energized the 136 MW Itimpi II solar plant in Kitwe, currently the largest operational solar asset in Zambia. The $125.8 million project was independently funded through CEC’s $200 million Green Bond, showcasing the strength of local capital markets in financing mega-projects without sovereign debt. Constructed over 14 months, the site created over 2,500 jobs and contracted 15 local firms. With this commissioning, CEC's solar capacity reaches 230 MW, moving toward its goal of 500 MW by 2027 to address power deficits in the mining and industrial sectors.

[Solar: Zambia’s Largest Solar Plant Itimpi II Successfully Energized]

The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and Sunshare Energy signed a $246 million agreement to add 250 MW in the second phase of the Nambala solar plant, bringing the project's total investment to $300 million. Government reforms have significantly streamlined approval timelines, fostering an investor-friendly environment for large-scale projects like Globeleq’s 250 MW solar-plus-storage site. These developments support Zambia’s national target of deploying 1 GW of solar. Current data from AFSIA identifies 977.2 MW of operational solar capacity across the country to date.

[Solar: Zambia Secures $246M Investment for Nambala Phase II Expansion]

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on May 11 that the 8th Mobility Innovation Committee approved 16 agenda items, including demonstrations for an “EV battery subscription service” and “vehicle operation in Gwangju’s autonomous driving demonstration city.”
South Korean consumers will be able to purchase only the vehicle body of an electric vehicle and lease the expensive battery separately.
In addition, 200 autonomous vehicles to be deployed in Gwangju’s autonomous driving demonstration city will be eligible to apply for temporary operation permits without undergoing the self-certification process.

South Korea separates EV and battery ownership

According to the government on May 10, KOTRA will hold the Korea-China Secondary Battery Export Consultation and Online Business Meeting in Shenzhen, China, from May 13 to June 19.
The event is linked to the China International Battery Fair (CIBF 2026), which will be held in Shenzhen.

KOTRA supports K-battery firms’ entry into Chinese market

WCP announced on May 11 that it posted consolidated revenue of KRW 42.8 billion, an operating loss of KRW 20.5 billion and a net loss of KRW 48.4 billion for the first quarter of this year.
Revenue increased 26.5% year on year, while the operating loss narrowed by 32.6%. However, the net loss widened by 45.4%.
Compared with the previous quarter, revenue rose 57.9%, while the operating loss narrowed by 49% and the net loss decreased by 11.4%.

WCP narrows Q1 operating loss by 32.6% YoY to KRW 20.5 billion

According to battery industry sources on May 10, LG Chem has recently been producing its “Gen1” lithium manganese-rich (LMR) cathode material for electric vehicles at a mass-production-level stage on a pilot line at its Cheongju plant in North Chungcheong Province.
Based on quality and data secured beyond the pilot scale, the company is working to finalize the specifications for the actual mass-production product.

LG Chem begins mass-production-level LMR cathode output at Cheongju plant

Battery recycling company SungEel HiTech will begin its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling business by the end of this year.
According to battery industry sources on May 10, SungEel HiTech has confirmed plans to build an LFP battery recycling pilot line at its Gunsan plant by the end of this year. The line is planned to have an annual production capacity of around 500 mt.

SungEel HiTech to begin LFP recycling business, build pilot line by year-end

HyVISION System disclosed on May 8, 2026 that it signed a single sales and supply contract worth KRW 19.1 billion with the overseas subsidiary of a U.S.-based secondary battery company.
The contract covers the supply of battery pack assembly equipment for energy storage systems (ESS).

HyVISION System wins KRW 19.1 billion ESS equipment supply contract, expands U.S. business

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	+57.31	May 13
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	+18.86	May 13
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (EV Type, Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	+13.04	May 13
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	+0.001	May 13
Electrolyte	China Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	+28.59	May 13
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	-1.04	May 13

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