An unexpected wave of energy storage orders is sweeping the industry. The sudden shift in the supply-demand relationship has led to soaring orders across the industry chain, with production lines operating at full capacity still unable to meet demand, marking the beginning of a market-driven industry test.

314Ah Battery Cells Are Highly Sought After, China Sets Ambitious Goal to Double New-Type Energy Storage Installations by 2027

The Southeast Asian steel industry stands at a critical historical juncture. On one hand, the region is experiencing an unprecedented wave of capacity expansion, with Chinese capital-driven investments planning to add over 100 million mt of new capacity, and a duopoly between Vietnam and Indonesia has already taken shape. On the other hand, the EU carbon border tax and global decarbonization requirements are compelling industry to undergo a green transformation, posing severe challenges to traditional development models. Key trends indicate that a capacity race and green transformation are advancing in tandem; regional supply chains are being restructured, with self-sufficiency rates increasing, yet high-end products still rely on imports; national infrastructure projects provide solid support for demand, but the risk of overcapacity cannot be ignored. The key to future competition lies in balancing scale expansion with quality improvement, traditional capacity with green transformation, and short-term gains with long-term sustainability. Enterprises that can achieve breakthroughs in low-carbon technologies, product structures, and market positioning will take the lead in the next round of industrial reshuffling. The major transformation in Southeast Asia's steel industry is not only reshaping the regional industrial landscape but also profoundly impact global steel trade and supply chains.

【SMM Analysis】Southeast Asia's Steel Upheaval: China-Funded Capacity Race, Green Transition to Determine Future Winners

On Sept. 16, Sunwoda Electric Vehicle Battery (Sunwoda EVB) signed a memorandum of understanding with Li Auto's subsidiary, Beijing Rockwells Technology Co., Ltd., becoming a strategic partner in the ...

Sunwoda EVB joins Li Auto's Halo OS steering committee as strategic partner

On Sept. 17, Chery's new energy vehicle brand Fulwin officially released the X3L, a boxy-style SUV positioned for outdoor and intelligent driving scenarios, onto the market.

Chery's Fulwin X3L new energy SUV hits market, starting at 109,900 yuan

AEROFUGIA recently entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Sichuan Jinshi Leasing Co., Ltd. (Jinshi Leasing) to collaborate on financing, aircraft leasing, supply chain coordination, and g...

AEROFUGIA partners with Jinshi Leasing on eVTOL financing, market expansion

[SMM New Energy News Flash] Shandong Fengrong New Materials Co., Ltd. has announced plans to build a large-scale lithium battery recycling project with an investment of about RMB 800 million in Feicheng, Shandong. The facility will include advanced production workshops and recovery lines capable of processing 70,000 tonnes of spent lithium batteries and 30,000 tonnes of waste electrode sheets annually. Using cutting-edge technologies such as low-temperature nitrogen-protected crushing and automated sorting, the project aims to achieve a cathode material recovery rate of up to 98% and high-efficiency recycling of valuable metals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and aluminum. Since its establishment in 2023, Fengrong has been dedicated to battery recycling, and this new project represents a major upgrade, integrating with local lithium producers to form a cost-effective supply chain. Against the backdrop of large-scale EV battery retirements in China, the project is expected to enhance industry collaboration, promote resource efficiency, and inject new momentum into the sustainable development of the domestic battery recycling industry.

The 100,000-ton lithium battery physical recycling project in Feicheng is coming

[SMM New Energy News Flash] Anhui Lvwocycle Energy Technology Co., Ltd. has officially entered the construction phase of its retired power battery recycling project in Shucheng Economic Development Zone, following the release of its environmental impact report by the Lu’an Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau. The project will feature modern facilities, advanced automated equipment, and intelligent management systems, focusing on hydrometallurgical recycling of LFP black mass and cascade utilization of partially usable cells. With a planned capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year, it will recover high-purity lithium carbonate, sodium sulfate, iron phosphate, graphite, and other byproducts, helping to ease environmental pressures from battery waste

The 50,000-ton retired power battery recycling project has been implemented in Anhui.

[CPCA: National Passenger Vehicle Retail Sales Reach 732,000 Units from September 1 to 14, Down 4% YoY] The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) released data showing that from September 1 to 14, national passenger vehicle retail sales reached 732,000 units, down 4% YoY but up 6% MoM. Cumulative retail sales this year reached 15.497 million units, up 9% YoY. From September 1 to 14, new energy passenger vehicle retail sales reached 438,000 units, up 6% YoY and 10% MoM, with a new energy retail penetration rate of 59.8%. Cumulative new energy retail sales this year reached 8.008 million units, up 25% YoY.

CPCA: National PV Retail Sales Hit 732K Units (Sep 1-14), 4% YoY Drop; NEV Sales Up 6%

Premier African Minerals Limited (“Premier”) recently announced an update on the status of the processing plant at its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project in Zimbabwe. Following the completion of the commissioning test phase announced on August 20, 2025, the project has now entered the next stage, which involves further test runs aimed at optimizing the flotation process to ensure the consistent production of saleable spodumene concentrate containing over 5% Li₂O. Although the Zulu plant has previously produced saleable concentrate on multiple occasions, the focus of this phase is to validate its ability to consistently and steadily produce such concentrate—an essential step towards full commercial operation. To support this, limited mining activities at Zulu have resumed to guarantee a continuous supply of ore to the ROM pad, with ore feed to the plant expected to commence as early as today.

Premier African Minerals Limited Zulu Lithium Plant Update

[SMM New Energy News Flash] Neometals will sell its 50% stake in lithium battery recycling joint ventures Primobius GmbH and ACN 630 to SMS Group for €5 million (A$8.9 million) in cash plus up to €7 million (A$12.5 million) in revenue-linked fees. The divestment, expected in Q3 2025, relieves Neometals from future capital commitments as Europe’s EV market faces challenges from subsidy cuts and high energy costs. While retaining revenue exposure, the company will redirect focus to its fully owned Barrambie gold and titanium-vanadium projects in Western Australia, as well as other critical mineral and sustainable processing opportunities. This strategy reflects Neometals’ aim to reduce risk, secure liquidity, and prioritise high-potential ventures amid volatile global markets.

Neometals exits battery recycling to focus on high value projects

[SMM New Energy News Flash]India’s fast-growing EV market faces an urgent ecological risk from discarded lithium-ion batteries, with nearly 40% of consumer batteries never collected and most recycling handled by informal channels. This inefficiency could escalate into a major environmental crisis. However, the opportunity is vast: by 2030, India could build a USD 3.5 billion lithium-ion recycling economy, creating over 40,000 jobs, saving resources, and cutting emissions. New policies such as the Battery Waste Management Rules (2022) and Extended Producer Responsibility are laying the foundation for a structured, sustainable recycling industry.

India’s battery waste goldmine powering the next big green opportunity

[SMM New Energy News Flash] Ontario has announced support for a $100 million investment to build North America’s first battery-grade cobalt refinery in Temiskaming Shores, led by Electra Battery Materials. The project, with Ontario contributing $17.5 million, aims to produce 6,500 tonnes of cobalt sulfate annually, enough for one million EVs and linking northern Ontario’s mineral resources with southern Ontario’s auto industry. The refinery would reduce reliance on China, create local jobs, and strengthen Canada’s critical mineral supply chain. However, experts warn about uncertainties in EV demand, financing, and customer commitments. While the refinery could bolster Ontario’s role in the global EV market, its success depends on securing buyers and navigating trade tensions with the US.

Ontario commits millions toward North America’s first battery-grade cobalt refinery

[SMM New Energy News Flash] SK Innovation has officially entered the global battery recycling market by licensing its proprietary Battery Metal Recycle (BMR) technology. At the Fastmarkets Conference in Portugal, the company signed an MOU with U.S.-based KBR to jointly commercialize lithium hydroxide recovery technology. The partnership combines SK Innovation’s process, which uniquely enables direct extraction of lithium hydroxide from waste batteries, with KBR’s high-purity crystallization technology. This collaboration not only strengthens SK Innovation’s competitiveness in meeting EU battery recycling regulations but also creates new revenue streams through royalty income. With a demonstration facility already operating since 2021, SK Innovation aims to lead in global battery recycling solutions.

SK Innovation Targets Global Market with Proprietary Battery Recycling Technology

Spark Energy Minerals Makes Significant Progress at Arapaima Project in Brazil's Lithium Valley. Through geological mapping, geochemical analysis, and sampling, the company has confirmed priority drill targets for lithium and gallium-rare earth elements (REE). They are advancing logistics, surface access agreements, and permitting to prepare for diamond drilling at the Cruzeta, Água Branca, and Grota do Maquém lithium targets, along with air-core or reverse circulation drilling at the Caladão gallium-REE target. The Arapaima Project has identified 123 pegmatite occurrences over 31 kilometers of strike length, completed reconnaissance and stream sediment sampling over about 55% of the drainage basins, with 75% of sampled basins showing lithium and pathfinder element anomalies needing further follow-up. Surface sampling over a 4,500-hectare area of the Caladão Granite shows anomalous gallium and rare earth element values, adjacent to Axel REE’s recent gallium-REE discovery. Three high-priority lithium targets show strong correlation of lithium with pathfinder elements such as cesium, tin, and rubidium, consistent with fertile lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) and spodumene-rich pegmatites (SRP). The association of lithium with manganese and the identification of the mineral lithiophorite suggest lithium remobilization from primary minerals at depth, enhancing the potential for deep lithium mineralization in the area.

Spark Energy Minerals Validates Priority Lithium and Gallium-REE Drill Targets at Arapaima Project in Brazil's Lithium Valley

On September 16, it was learned from home appliance chip agents, analysts, and experts that the localisation rate of analog chips used in home appliances is already relatively high. According to statistics from ChinaIOL, by the end of 2024, the localisation rate of analog chips for home appliances in China had reached 65%.

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