Global Manufacturing PMI Continued To Fall In May, Points To Downturn In Global Economy

National Grid awarded Balfour Beatty the first-phase contract for its Birkhill Wood 400 kV substation in East Yorkshire on 22 October, the connection point for three North Sea offshore wind farms and a package that pulls through copper-intensive 400 kV GIS switchgear, busbars, transformer windings and control cables. The award was made under National Grid's GBP 8 billion Electricity Transmission Partnership framework, on which Balfour Beatty became the North East England delivery partner in 2025. Phase one covers early contractor involvement, detailed design and site enabling works, with main construction due to begin in 2027. The site sits about 700 metres north of the existing Creyke Beck substation and uses gas-insulated switchgear to cut its footprint. Once complete it will connect 4.22 GW from the three later Dogger Bank phases, enough for more than four million homes. Peak construction will employ around 200 people.

In September 2026, China's copper clad laminate (CCL) imports (HS code: 74102110) were 3,786.04 mt, down 2.81% YoY and up 9.79% MoM. From January to September 2026, China's cumulative CCL imports were 31,842.04 mt, up 4.97% YoY. In September 2026, China's CCL exports were 9,930.57 mt, up 31.02% YoY and up 7.89% MoM. From January to September 2026, China's cumulative CCL exports were 77,126 mt, up 14.31% YoY.

[Copper Foil Imports and Exports by Country/Region, 2026] In September 2026, China's main copper foil import origins were Taiwan, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with imports of 4,440.57 mt, 2,389.52 mt, and 948.11 mt, respectively. In September 2026, China's main copper foil export destinations were Thailand, South Korea, and Malaysia, with exports of 1,777.59 mt, 1,111.47 mt, and 856.1 mt, respectively.