[Subaru and Panasonic Reach Battery Cooperation Agreement] According to foreign media reports, after months of negotiations regarding long-term supply cooperation for electric vehicle batteries, Subaru and Panasonic Energy have signed a so-called "basic cooperation agreement." The agreement involves Panasonic supplying cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for Subaru's future pure electric vehicles. The dialogue between the two parties began in July 2023, when Subaru was interested in Panasonic's latest high-capacity cylindrical batteries. It is reported that these batteries are likely to be the 4680 batteries (46 mm in diameter and 80 mm in height) or similar models....

On March 8th, lithium carbonate futures fell by 0.70% to 113,350 yuan/ton, while spot prices slightly increased to an average of 108,900 yuan/ton, amid ongoing market adjustments.

【SMM Cobalt-Lithium Morning Meeting Summary: Lithium Carbonate Prices Rose Overall on Monday. On the supply side, some lithium salt companies were still in the early stages of resuming production after maintenance, resulting in relatively limited supplies available for spot sales beyond long-term contract orders. Some lithium salt companies have intentions for subsequent deliveries, but overall, lithium salt companies continue to sell long-term contract orders while pricing spot orders firmly. Their spot prices continue to rise. However, downstream companies like cathode material producers have given feedback that due to the recent continuous increase in lithium carbonate prices, while the pricing transmission of their products lags behind the lithium carbonate price hikes, the current pricing transmission situation makes it difficult to fully pass on the increased raw material costs to downstream customers, gradually squeezing production profits...】

[India launches second round of critical mineral block bidding 18 critical mineral blocks involving tungsten, vanadium, cobalt and nickel will be auctioned] According to the Mining.com website, citing Reuters, Indian mining minister Pralhad Joshi revealed on Thursday that a second round of critical mineral block auctions worth 30 trillion rupees (about 362 billion US dollars) will be launched. According to the government announcement, 18 critical mineral blocks will be auctioned, involving minerals including tungsten, vanadium, cobalt and nickel, among others. Joshi added that there will be no more coal shortages in India this year.

[National Bureau of Statistics: Solar cell production will increase by 54% in 2023] On February 29, the National Bureau of Statistics released the "Statistical Communiqué of the People's Republic of China on National Economic and Social Development in 2023", which disclosed a number of power data, including installed power capacity, energy consumption, etc. According to the data, in 2023, the output of solar cells (photovoltaic cells) will be 540 million kilowatts, an increase of 54.0%, and in 2023, the power generation of clean energy such as hydropower, nuclear power, wind power, and solar power will be 3,190.6 billion kilowatt hours, an increase of 7.8% over the previous year.

On February 28, the average price of SMM8-12% high nickel pig iron was 960 yuan/nickel point (ex-factory tax included), which was flat compared with the previous working day.

The battery industry faces a turbulent 2024 with price wars, cost reductions, and overcapacity. Despite challenges, innovations in technology and strategic shifts promise opportunities for growth.

【SMM Weekly Review: Market Slowly Recovers After Holiday, Anode Materials Remain Stable】SMM News on February 23: Anode material prices remained weak this week. On the cost side, petroleum coke prices were stable during the Spring Festival holiday with normal production and shipments based on orders. With insufficient downstream support after the holiday, the rising trend before the holiday has basically stalled, and there are risks of a small decline afterwards. The demand for oil-based needle coke...

As the world shifts to sustainable and renewable energy sources, the pricing of such energy is a key factor in shaping the global economy. Government policies, technological advancements, and global market fluctuations all impact the pricing of renewable energy. While technological advancements continually drive down production costs, government policies and incentives play a significant role in determining the economic viability of renewable energy projects. The escalating global demand for clean energy has a direct impact on new energy prices, and nations endowed with ample reserves of critical metals for renewable energy may face economic instability due to shifting global demand and prices for these resources. Comprehending the intricacies of new energy pricing is paramount in crafting a more sustainable and resilient energy future globally.

In a groundbreaking shift, SNE Research forecasts China's sodium-ion batteries to enter mass production by 2025, targeting two-wheelers, small EVs, and energy storage. By 2035, their cost is expected to undercut lithium iron phosphate batteries by 11% to 24%, creating a colossal $14 billion annual market. Characterized by lower energy density but higher electrochemical stability and cold resistance, sodium-ion batteries promise a complementary role alongside lithium batteries, fueling the new energy sector's growth. Amidst soaring lithium prices, this resurgence marks a pivotal turn, with China poised to lead the charge in revolutionizing the global energy storage landscape.