SMM Battery-Grade Nickel Sulphate Price Rises 285 Yuan/mt on July 23

The European Commission has opened a consultation — closing August 6 — on the purchase and repurchase of CBAM certificates through a new central platform. The draft proposes a fee of EUR 0.05 per CBAM certificate purchased, approximately 16 times the transaction fee charged by the EEX for EU emissions allowances, with no cost breakdown or justification provided. Based on approximately 440 million tonnes of CO2 embedded in CBAM-covered imports, the fee would generate around EUR 22 million annually — effectively charging companies for the act of paying a legally mandated tax. The certificate buyback process is equally restrictive: only one application per year is permitted, corrections or withdrawals are not allowed once submitted, and the administration retains up to 42 days for processing. Critics note that the administration reserves correction rights for itself while denying them to declarants, and that SMEs will effectively pay twice — once for the carbon tax and again for the bureaucracy that collects it.

Nova Trading SA finalized its merger with Nova Metale Sp. z o.o. on July 1, 2026, consolidating commercial, manufacturing, and logistics operations under the Nova Trading SA name. The unified entity offers an expanded service portfolio covering stainless steel, aluminum, and copper distribution alongside advanced manufacturing and component delivery. Nova Trading SA has officially assumed all existing contracts, rights, and liabilities from Nova Metale, with no requirement for customers to execute new agreements. Sales documents and invoices for previous Nova Metale orders transition directly to Nova Trading SA details, with operations, ongoing orders, and customer service contacts remaining fully uninterrupted.

Spanish manufacturer Fagor Arrasate has acquired the production unit of Barcelona-based Inoxilos, S.L. — owner of the Herpasa stainless steel tank brand — out of post-bankruptcy liquidation, integrating Herpasa's specialized manufacturing capabilities with its engineering infrastructure and global distribution footprint. The full technical and operational workforce will be retained and reinforced to maintain service continuity and preserve proprietary expertise. Mikel Lopez, director of Fagor Arrasate's steel business unit, will lead Herpasa, with immediate priorities focused on fulfilling active customer projects and restoring market confidence before leveraging corporate resources for broader market growth.