New developments! Jingke Energy Department pioneer board IPO enters the "inquired" state.

Despite posting a €0.7 million net loss for H1 2026, Afarak Group said Chinese demand for chrome ore continues to grow, with prices turning higher again after easing through the second quarter. The Nasdaq Helsinki- and London-listed alloy producer said its South African chrome ore business is expected to remain stable through the second half, supported by smooth concentrate production at its new Vlaakport mine wash plant. On the ferrochrome side, Afarak expects demand for standard-grade, low-carbon material to improve once the northern-hemisphere summer holiday period ends, citing very low industry-wide inventory levels as a supportive factor. Its specialty alloys segment is also forecast to see stronger demand growth in the second half. Management cautioned, however, that a weak US dollar will continue to squeeze margins, and that competitively priced imports from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Brazil and India will keep weighing on price development for standard-grade low-carbon ferrochrome. The improved outlook follows a difficult first half in which CEO Guy Konsbruck described 2026 market conditions as "very complicated," with steep declines in European low-carbon ferrochrome consumption compounded by disruption tied to the Iran and Ukraine conflicts. Whether the anticipated post-summer pickup in ferrochrome demand, together with the recovering Chinese chrome ore market, is enough to offset those headwinds will be a key signal for Afarak's full-year performance.

[SMM Survey: From Four-Wheel Electric Drive to Two-Wheeler Frames, Magnesium Alloy End-Use Applications in Transportation Accelerate Implementation] Since 2026, breakthroughs in processes such as semi-solid die-casting, coupled with a pullback in the magnesium-to-aluminum price ratio, have driven the accelerated penetration of magnesium alloy automotive die-cast parts from small non-load-bearing components to core structural parts such as electric drive housings and rear floor panels. The application achievements of four major enterprises have been intensively implemented.

[SMM Spot Titanium Flash: Positive Factors Begin to Emerge, Market Expectations Improve] SMM August 27: Today, the titanium dioxide market was weak and under pressure. Although a titanium dioxide enterprise issued a price adjustment notice yesterday, sending a positive signal, the supply-demand pattern has not reversed, and the transaction center remains under pressure.