News

[ SMM Hydrogen Energy Express ] On February 4, the Sikaqi Hydrogen Energy Ecological Chain Project (Phase I) 8,000 mt water electrolysis hydrogen production project was filed for record. The project entity is Sikaqi (Hebei) Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (established on December 29, 2025). Construction location: Anci District, Langfang City, Hebei province. Technical route: hydrogen production by water electrolysis, including alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production, proton exchange membrane water electrolysis hydrogen production, and 10MW solid oxide water electrolysis hydrogen production. Annual hydrogen production capacity is 80,000 mt. Phase I will construct 200MW wind power generation and ESS green electricity direct connection (off-grid type), achieving green hydrogen production from green electricity.

In North China today, spot prices of #1 copper cathode against the front-month contract were at a discount of 320-160 yuan/mt, averaging a discount of 240 yuan/mt, up 90 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Transaction prices ranged from 98,380-100,270 yuan/mt, with the average price at 99,325 yuan/mt, down 1,555 yuan/mt from the previous trading day.

【SMM Steel】Since CBAM entered its tax phase on Jan 1, 2026, goods are held at EU ports due to clearance issues. Importers must be registered CBAM declarants. Common problems: missing declarant status, wrong CBAM codes, no emission data. Non-compliant goods are blocked. CBAM is now a trade access condition. Firms must register, use correct codes, track the 50-ton annual exemption, and set up carbon reporting. While importers are legally responsible, exporters face shipment delays and lost trust. CBAM compliance is key for steel, aluminum, and fastener exports to the EU.

【SMM Steel】Switzerland is seeking an exemption from EU's planned steel import protections. Officials held a special meeting with EU reps in Brussels last week. Switzerland says its steel does not cause overcapacity and is key for regional supply chains and Europe's industrial ecosystem. It also wants exemptions for certain manganese/silicon-based ferroalloy imports and raised concerns about potential EU scrap aluminum export restrictions.

【SMM Steel】Saudi Steel Pipe's subsidiary Global Pipe Co. won a major contract with Subsea 7. The $80 million deal is to supply line pipes for an offshore redevelopment project. The contract duration is 11 months. Details of the project were not disclosed, but Subsea 7 previously secured a long-term deal with Saudi Aramco in Sep 2025 for 106 km of pipelines and offshore facility work.

【SMM Steel】Liberty Steel launched a fast-track sale for its Hartlepool pipe business, aiming to complete by Feb 20. The site employs ~170 and makes carbon steel pipes for energy and carbon capture projects. After other UK assets entered liquidation last year, a strategic investor is sought. Directors are working with advisors to secure its future. The union says the site is strategic with strong prospects. A deal aims to save jobs and expand international sales.

【SMM Steel】Brazil imposed final AD duties on pre-painted steel from China and India for five years on Feb 2, 2026. Chinese products face $329.27-$597.44/ton, India $289.11/ton. The decision follows a 2024 probe requested by CSN. Products under NCM codes 7210.70.10, 7210.70.20, 7212.40.10, 7212.40.21, and 7212.40.29 are affected. A 2025 preliminary ruling confirmed dumping but no immediate duties.

【SMM Steel】Japan's Nakamura Iron Works signed FAC for a 12.5-MN open-die press at its Aichi plant. The SMS tech handles aluminum, stainless, titanium, nickel at 205 strokes/min, cutting cycles and costs. Its compact drive uses 50% less space and energy. Nakamura uses SMS ForgeBase for automation and a SaaS package for data and fault monitoring. This 2nd collab boosts capacity and enables predictive maintenance.

【SMM Steel】Acerinox's Haynes commissioned SMS for a high-performance hydraulic radial forging line in Indiana. The SMX 800 / 25 MN press has 100 MN total force, converting ingots into billets/bars for aerospace and chemical sectors. The line includes furnaces, quenching, and robots. The press cuts power use ~50% and peak demand ~60%. A patent-pending "2+2 forging" refines alloy microstructure. Set for 2027, it uses MIDIS® for automated, consistent production.

China will enter Lunar New Year holidays next week, with logistics and scrap traders suspending operations, ending pre-holiday restocking. As the world’s largest copper scrap consumer steps back, demand across Asia has weakened. South Korea has seen clearer pressure, with No.2 scrap discounts falling from around 90% to 88%–89%. Japan, without a holiday shutdown, shows only a mild adjustment of about 0.5% in discounts.

【SMM Steel】Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL) has commissioned a 198 MW wind project in Tamil Nadu for Tata Steel. The project, featuring 55 wind turbines, will supply 31 million units of clean power annually, cutting carbon emissions by over 26,000 tons. TPREL used an in-house EPC model, completing foundation work in 126 days and full turbine installation in 167 days despite difficult terrain. This addition brings TPREL's total renewable capacity to 11.6 GW, advancing Tata Power's goal of 100% clean energy by 2045.

【SMM Steel】South Africa's ITAC decided on Jan 30, 2026, not to impose provisional safeguard duties on imports of corrosion-resistant steel coils while its investigation continues. The probe began in July 2025 after a request from ArcelorMittal South Africa. The ITAC noted a sharp import surge caused injury via price suppression, but stable output, employment, and sales meant no "critical circumstances" warranting immediate duties. The affected products are certain zinc or aluminum-zinc coated steel coils used in construction and automotive.

【SMM Steel】Jingye Huaxi Special Steel has successfully developed Q355ND medium-heavy plate, with thicknesses from 12-50 mm and widths of 2000-2500 mm. It meets GB/T1591-2018 standards, with some properties exceeding international counterparts. Through microalloying and optimized rolling, the plate achieves a strong balance of strength and toughness. It offers excellent impact resistance from -40°C to 500°C, good weldability, and formability, suitable for construction, bridges, offshore platforms, and rail.