[Lithium Battery: Tianhua New Energy's H1 2026 Net Profit Reaches 2.292 Billion Yuan]

[SMM Daily Review: Lithium Carbonate Spot Prices Edged Up on August 18] SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate spot prices edged up slightly today from the previous working day. The lithium carbonate 2701 contract opened higher at 155,000 yuan/mt today. After the open, bull funds quickly drove prices higher, and prices shot up to 157,800 yuan/mt to hit a fresh intraday high before consolidating and pulling back. In the morning session, prices fluctuated around the average price line, with the center gradually shifting lower. Around midday, prices accelerated downward to 152,700 yuan/mt. In the afternoon, prices consolidated and rebounded, quickly rallying to around 155,400 yuan/mt near the close, and eventually closed up 0.62% at 155,400 yuan/mt, while open interest increased by 8,584 lots. In the spot market, downstream players made just-in-time procurement on dips, while purchasing sentiment remained cautious, with some purchase price indications still anchored near 150,000 yuan/mt. As prices consolidated higher, upstream lithium chemical plants showed greater willingness to hedge, and spot order shipments remained slightly active. Overall, market inquiries and actual transactions were relatively mediocre.

On August 17, Yongtai Technology disclosed that the trial production plan for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Inner Mongolia Yongtai Chemical Co., Ltd.'s annual 6,666.6-ton VC project was reviewed and approved by experts on August 15, 2026, and has met the conditions for trial production, which will now commence. The company's original VC production capacity was 10,000 tons/year. With the addition of this new 6,666.6-ton/year capacity, the company's total production capacity for the electrolyte additive VC will reach 16,666.6 tons/year. The commissioning of this project will further enhance the company's VC production capacity and economies of scale, strengthen its business development in the lithium battery materials sector, consolidate its industry position and market share, and contribute to improving the company's overall market competitiveness and profitability.

South Korean electrolyte producer Enchem disclosed that it recorded revenue of KRW 102.3 billion and an operating loss of KRW 11.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026. Revenue increased by about 22% from KRW 84.1 billion in the first quarter, while its operating loss narrowed by around 52% from KRW 24.2 billion.