China to Halt Sulfuric Acid Exports in May, Affecting Metals and Fertilizer Sectors Amid Iran War Disruptions

[SMM Aluminum Express News] The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has updated the Harga Patokan Mineral (HPM) guidelines for bauxite through Kepmen No. 144.K/MB.01/MMEM.B/2026, which amends the previous regulation. New HPM Formula (in USD/WMT): HPM Biji Bauksit = [(Constant × HMA Aluminium) ± CF Al₂O₃ − CF R-SiO₂] × (1 − MC) Constant = 1.50% The changes take effect on 15 April 2026.

[SMM Express] SHFE data showed that on April 13, the total registered cast aluminum alloy warrants stood at 30,647 mt, an increase of 396 mt from the previous trading day. Specifically, the total registered volume in Shanghai was 1,912 mt (increase of 0 mt), Guangdong 11,999 mt (increase of 0 mt), Jiangsu 3,877 mt (increase of 396 mt), Zhejiang 8,019 mt (increase of 0 mt), Chongqing 3,634 mt (increase of 0 mt), and Sichuan 1,206 mt (increase of 0 mt) from the previous trading day.

On April 8, 2026, the groundbreaking ceremony for the "Aluminum Precision Forging Technology Upgrade and New Production Line Expansion Project" of Haian Jinduan Industrial Co., Ltd. was successfully held. The project will construct a new intelligent factory building of approximately 5,200 square meters, fully introduce advanced production equipment and intelligent management systems, and achieve an automation level of over 80%.