[SMM Chromium Flash] China July 2026 Chrome Ore Imports Down 6.7% MoM to 2.61 Mt, SA and Zimbabwe Volumes Ease

China's high carbon ferrochrome (HC FeCr) imports totalled approximately 132,825 tonnes in July 2026, down 9.9% month-on-month from around 147,361 tonnes in June, per Chinese customs data. Kazakhstan retained its position as China's largest HC FeCr supplier in July, shipping approximately 84,429 tonnes, up a marginal 1.2% MoM from June's 83,415 tonnes. With other origins pulling back more sharply, Kazakhstan's share of total imports rose to roughly 63.6%, up from 56.6% in June. Zimbabwe posted the strongest gain among suppliers, with volumes climbing 72.1% MoM to approximately 22,901 tonnes in July from around 13,306 tonnes in June, lifting its import share to roughly 17.2% from 9.0% the previous month. India also grew its share, with shipments up 50.8% MoM to approximately 23,889 tonnes in July from around 15,845 tonnes in June, taking its share of total imports to roughly 18.0% from 10.8%. Imports from other origins fell sharply, down 55.7% MoM to approximately 1,607 tonnes in July from around 3,628 tonnes in June. South Africa recorded no HC FeCr shipments to China in July, a sharp reversal from June's approximately 31,166 tonnes, which had accounted for around 21.2% of that month's total. Overall, July's data shows a rebalancing of China's HC FeCr supply base, with Kazakhstan consolidating its lead while Zimbabwe and India expanded their footholds to help offset South Africa's exit from the month's import mix.

[SMM Silicone Weekly Review: Supply Contraction and Ample Order Scheduling Drive Mild Uptick in Silicone] This week, the price center of China's silicone DMC continued to edge up, with the range quoted at 13,200-13,800 yuan/mt. The industry's joint production schedule expectations, combined with the gradual digestion of low-priced supply in the market, pushed silicone monomer enterprises to raise their offers. On the supply side, some monomer plants underwent maintenance and reduced output this week, leading to a WoW edge down in overall operating rates. Currently, monomer plants have relatively ample order scheduling, with industry pre-sales orders scheduled from late August to early September. Supported by both low inventory levels and full order scheduling, enterprises held prices firm. Overall, the short-term outlook for China's DMC market is expected to continue a mild and gradual rise.

[Aluminum Scrap and Secondary Aluminum Weekly Review: Inventory Buildup from Lower Costs and Off-Season, ADC12 Consolidates on a Subdued Note] China's aluminum scrap market prices this week followed the decline in primary aluminum, showing a pattern of weakness at high levels, but cost support still existed, limiting the downside. On August 20, SMM A00 spot aluminum closed at 23,600 yuan/mt, down 520 yuan/mt from 24,120 yuan/mt last Thursday. Dragged by the decline in primary aluminum prices, aluminum scrap prices...