NCM 6-series materials solidified their dominant position within China's EV battery market. Capitalizing on this market shift, several domestic cathode material producers focusing on the mid-to-high nickel segment delivered outstanding performances. Simultaneously, the overseas ternary market maintained its focus on high-nickel materials.

On January 17, a high-level delegation of 10 officials from key Zambian government institutions—including the Zambia National Assembly, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance, and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) — visited Shanghai Metals Market (SMM).

Lithium carbonate, as a core raw material in the lithium battery industry chain, has seen recent price fluctuations driving up lithium battery production costs, while also significantly boosting market attention for the sodium-ion battery (hereinafter referred to as "sodium-ion battery") industry, which was previously in a preparatory phase. Sodium-ion battery enterprises generally report a notable increase in customer inquiries and collaborations recently, with many traditional top-tier lithium battery enterprises proactively engaging in the upstream material supply chain for sodium-ion batteries. The market activity for sodium-ion batteries has experienced a phased recovery. However, beneath this enthusiasm, the sodium-ion battery industry still faces multiple challenges, including capacity bottlenecks, technological breakthroughs yet to be achieved, and obstacles in cost reduction. The industrialization process still needs to overcome several hurdles.

SMM reported on January 19 that on January 16, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce, and the State Administration for Market Regulation, jointly issued the "Interim Measures for the Recycling and Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries from New Energy Vehicles (NEVs)." This new management measure, being a joint departmental regulation, carries mandatory legal force, fundamentally changing the previous situation where guidance documents lacked sufficient binding power.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Brazil's Labor Ministry has shut down three waste piles at Sigma Lithium's (SGML.V), opens new tab ‌flagship mine in the state of Minas Gerais, citing a "grave and imminent" risk to workers and the local community, according to documents seen by Reuters.

News on January 16: Northern ports: South African high-iron ore at 30.5-32.6 yuan/mtu, up 1.61% WoW; South African semi-carbonate ore at 36.5-37 yuan/mtu, up 2.80% WoW; Gabonese ore at 43-43.6 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; 46% Australian lumps at 43.9-44.4 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African medium-iron ore at 38.1-38.6 yuan/mtu, flat WoW. Southern ports: South African high-iron ore at 32.2-32.9 yuan/mtu, up 1.56% WoW; South African semi-carbonate ore at 35-35.7 yuan/mtu, down 0.84% WoW; Gabonese ore at 41.5-42 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; 46% Australian lumps at 41.5-42.2 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African medium-iron ore at 38.9-39.4 yuan/mtu, flat WoW. Manganese ore market prices continued their firm trend, with spot transaction prices remaining high.

Against the backdrop of accelerating global energy transition and reshaping supply chain dynamics, Africa, with its abundant critical resources such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, and phosphate ore, is rapidly emerging as an indispensable strategic hub in the global battery value chain.