Amid the shifting landscape, who will rise and who will fall? In 2026, the global lead and zinc industry is experiencing unprecedented wild swings—on the lead side, ex-China lead ingot prices remain elevated, high-purity lead is in critically short supply, and LME low-grade lead ingot inventories sit at historical highs. Lead-acid battery capacity is accelerating its relocation overseas, domestic demand consumption is under pressure, and the March 2027 delivery of secondary refined lead coincides with the conference window period, creating a market rife with variables.
On the zinc side, the market has seen dramatic ups and downs, with processing fee inversions intensifying, high-quality imported ore becoming extremely scarce, the zinc ingot export window remaining open, a surging wave of ex-China plant construction, and robust demand for China's mining and metallurgical technology and equipment as they set sail globally. The call for circular and low-carbon development is urgent, end-use consumption structures continue to diverge, and demand in new energy, infrastructure, and galvanizing sectors is undergoing iterative upgrades.
At this pivotal moment, SMM LZE 2027 (22nd) Lead & Zinc Conference and Industry Expo brings together elites from across the global industry chain. Upholding the philosophy of "Green, Innovation, Win-Win, and Long-Term Vision," the conference focuses on market analysis, resource security, technology and equipment, green circularity, and end-use applications. SMM, together with Mercuria (China) Metal Resources Co., Ltd., invites you to join the conference. The event seeks transformation through green development, upgrades through innovation, synergy through win-win cooperation, and new horizons through long-term vision, jointly exploring new pathways for high-quality development in the lead and zinc industry.
Click to sign up now and join us in witnessing and participating in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, creating a brilliant new chapter together.
Mercuria Energy Group
Founded in 2004, Mercuria Energy Group is a leading global independent energy and commodity group. Our core mission is to connect markets and drive the energy transition. Through trading, structured finance, and investment in strategic assets, we are committed to building a more sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy system to meet future challenges. We have already exceeded our commitment by directing more than half of our investments toward energy transition projects.
Over the past 20 years, Mercuria has progressively diversified beyond its strong crude oil business into natural gas, LNG, power, environmental products, dry bulk commodities, metals and metal concentrates, petrochemicals, LPG, and refining products. Clean energy is now a key revenue focus, and our business model centers on trading and asset investment, with an increasing emphasis on net-zero solutions. With exceptional financial capabilities, we are able to creatively provide clients with a range of financing solutions.
Mercuria embeds a strong risk management culture at the core of the company. The firm operates a rigorous and efficient risk management system based on value at risk (VaR), trading volume, tenor, and credit metrics, and manages and mitigates market risk through a broad range of financial hedging instruments and advanced information technology.
The Group operates in more than 50 countries across five continents. Through key business hubs in Geneva and London in Europe, Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore in Asia, and Houston, Greenwich (Connecticut), Denver, and Calgary in North America, Mercuria actively participates in all energy and commodity trading markets. This global network gives us strong influence and insight in target markets, enabling deeper engagement with suppliers and clients.
Mercuria has over 1,200 employees from more than 60 countries, whose expertise, experience, innovation, and teamwork collectively drive the company's success. We not only recruit top talent but also focus on developing internal staff and fostering an excellent working environment.
Since the Group's inception, we have expanded through business growth and strategic acquisitions, including J.P. Morgan's physical commodities trading division, Noble Group's US natural gas and power business, and Aegean Marine Petroleum, now restructured as Minerva Bunkering. These moves have not only strengthened our market position but also brought us extensive industry experience.
Mercuria China
Since its establishment in 2004, Mercuria Asia has been a vital part of the Group. In 2012, we established Mercuria Asia Group Holdings in Singapore to oversee investments and trading in Asia, and since then, the Asian business has grown exponentially, making the Asia Group an important platform for trading, operations, and investment.
Singapore serves as the regional headquarters, coordinating the business activities of branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Tokyo, Auckland, and Melbourne. We have established strategic partnerships with more than 25 financial institutions in Asia, with total credit facilities amounting to $6.5 billion.
Mercuria has long been deeply committed to the Chinese market. The Mercuria Beijing Representative Office was established in 2004, in tandem with the Group. In 2007, we founded Mercuria Energy Trading (Beijing) Co., Ltd., primarily responsible for crude oil business in China. In 2012, Mercuria (China) Metal Resources Co., Ltd. was established in Shanghai, marking the beginning of our base metal business in China.
Our traded products in China include crude oil, LPG, LNG, chemicals, metals and metal concentrates, dry bulk commodities, and environmental products. Our key investments and partnerships in China include:
• 2014: Jointly invested with Qingdao Port Group and Qingdao Yijia in the construction of the 200,000 mt ore terminal at Dongjiakou.
• 2016: Sold a majority stake in Henry Bath Group to CMST Development Co., Ltd.
• 2016: China National Chemical Corporation became a key minority shareholder of Mercuria Energy Group, with a cooperation term of six years.
• 2022: Established a joint venture with China National Building Material Group to develop green energy.
Mercuria actively participates in public welfare initiatives in China, including sponsoring the Beijing Music Festival, investing in the documentary "Origins: Exploring China," and making donations to earthquake-stricken areas, the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, and the China Foundation for Disabled Persons.
We are a forward-looking and learning-oriented enterprise, committed to advancing the energy transition and leveraging artificial intelligence to adapt to global challenges. We firmly believe that China serves as a vital engine driving global economic growth and holds immense development potential. On this basis, we will steadfastly continue to deepen investment and cooperation in the Chinese market, working hand in hand with partners to contribute to China's further prosperity.
Contact Us
www.mercuria.cn
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SMM LZE 2027 (22nd) Lead & Zinc Conference and Industry Expo
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