Sharp Output Cuts Led to Lithium Ore Shortages, High Import Prices Drove Lithium Salt Producers to Shut Down

【China Smartphone Shipments Decline YoY in Q3, Huawei Only Top Vendor to Post Double-Digit Growth】China smartphone shipments in Q3 2026 totaled approximately 57.9 million units, down 15.4% year-on-year, compared to a decline of approximately 4% in H1. By vendor, Huawei held a 21.1% share, up 17.3% YoY, making it the only major vendor to achieve double-digit growth; Apple held 17.8%, down 4.3%; OPPO 15.5%, down 17.6%; vivo 15.3%, down 24.9%; Xiaomi 13.8%, down 20.4%; and Honor 13.0%, down 24.2%. The quarter was characterized by declining volumes and rising prices, as cost increases pushed up average selling prices.

【Guanghua Technology Reports Strong Revenue Growth for First Three Quarters of 2026】Guanghua Technology disclosed its Q3 2026 report, with revenue for the first three quarters reaching CNY 3.575 billion, up 74.89% year-on-year, net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY 129 million, up 42.29% year-on-year, and non-recurring net profit of CNY 124 million, up 40.44% year-on-year. For Q3 alone, revenue reached CNY 1.328 billion, up 74.15% year-on-year, with net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY 34.34 million, up 0.62% year-on-year.

【Malaysia Discloses Battery Waste Volume Data for First Time via Parliamentary Reply, Mandatory Recycling Regime Not Yet Established】Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability disclosed for the first time in a written parliamentary reply that 13,743.15 tonnes of SW103-category battery waste were generated nationwide from 2021 to 2025, with only seven licensed off-site recycling facilities in operation as of March 2026, located across Kedah, Selangor, Johor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang. The ministry also confirmed that a mandatory battery recycling (extended producer responsibility) regime for EV manufacturers has not yet been established, with legislation still under study regarding legal basis, funding mechanisms, and inter-ministerial coordination. The Department of Environment is drafting Phase 2 amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974, incorporating a blacklisting mechanism targeting repeat offenders.