Aluminium billet stocks grow slightly on week

[SMM Aluminum Flash] According to customs data, unwrought aluminum alloy imports in August 2026 were 71,500 mt, up 0.2% YoY and up 19.5% MoM. Cumulative imports from January to August 2026 were 564,900 mt, down 17.4% YoY. Unwrought aluminum alloy exports in August 2026 were 51,600 mt, up 77.6% YoY but down 11.9% MoM. Cumulative exports from January to August 2026 were 348,700 mt, up 100.1% YoY.

According to multiple industry chain monthly survey data, September China lithium battery production schedules are expected to exceed 330 GWh, up approximately 9% MoM. Energy storage cells account for approximately 130 GWh, nearly 40% of the total. Energy storage growth mainly comes from overseas large-scale projects, with multiple energy storage stations in the Middle East, Europe and the US rushing to grid-connect before year-end. Overseas customers are concentratedly procuring 314Ah and above large-capacity energy storage cells, with leading battery makers' existing production lines fully booked through mid-October.

CAAM data shows September 2026 NEV production and sales reached 1.617 mn and 1.604 mn respectively, up 42.7% and 45.6% YoY. NEV share of total new vehicle sales reached 49.7%. Jan-Sep cumulative NEV production/sales reached approximately 12.6 mn, with market share approaching half. September NEV exports were 222,000 units, more than doubling YoY. CPCA data shows September domestic NEV passenger car retail was approximately 1.296 mn units, up 15.5% YoY, with monthly penetration reaching 57.8%, a new record high.