Lithium metal prices weaken amid pharmaceutical environmental probes

SMM learned that overseas mine production cuts, extreme weather in South America, and declining ore grades and recovery rates were intensively discussed during a recent industry association meeting. These concerns strengthened expectations of tighter overseas molybdenum supply, stimulated some buying and pushed molybdenum oxide prices to around $34/lb Mo. Supply-side expectations continue to support prices, while some mine production, grade and recovery issues may not improve materially until around 2028. China’s market also remains firm, but elevated prices are discouraging chasing. Well-funded buyers, low-inventory users and producers with firm orders continue to purchase as needed, while processors mainly restock to maintain production.

[Improving marginal transactions, magnesium ingot consolidates in the short term] Today, China's magnesium ingot offers held steady at 15,800 yuan/mt. Some traders entered the market to stockpile, driving a slight recovery in transactions and easing bearish sentiment. The subsequent market trend will still depend on the follow-through strength of restocking orders, with the short-term market maintaining a fluctuating trend.

【SMM Titanium Flash】On September 14th, Jintian Titanium Industry disclosed a private placement plan, intending to raise no more than 300 million yuan to invest in the construction of an advanced titanium alloy industrialization project for high-end equipment (Phase II). The project will add a 10,000-tonne ultra-large rapid forging unit to enhance the forging capacity of large-sized bars and extra-heavy wide forgings. The company's main products include titanium and titanium alloy bars, forgings, and components. It has already delivered batches of titanium alloy high-pressure gas cylinders to units under China Shipbuilding. The main structure of the Phase I project has been completed, and equipment joint debugging and testing have been completed. After commissioning, it will increase the annual production capacity of titanium alloy bars by 2,800 tonnes and forgings by 200 tonnes. With the implementation of the Phase II project, the company's supply capacity of high-end titanium materials for aerospace and marine equipment is expected to further enhance.