China imported 711,000 physical tonnes of spodumene in September 2025, a increase of 14.8% from the previous month; this translates to approximately 67,000 tonnes of LCE.

Against the backdrop of the accelerating global energy transition and carbon neutrality goals, the strategic importance of key battery raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium is becoming increasingly prominent. Geopolitical tensions, uneven resource distribution, fluctuations in international trade policies, and the rapid expansion of the new energy industry chain are profoundly impacting the global supply landscape and pricing systems of nickel, cobalt, and lithium resources. How to build a more stable, transparent, and efficient supply chain system has become a core issue of concern for the entire lithium battery industry.

Interested in lithium-mining companies? We break down operations and news from the world's largest lithium producers by market cap.

Sanwei  Battery is expected to accelerate the layout of solid-state battery capacity in 2025, having signed or initiated solid-state battery projects in Zhangjiakou, Hebei; Longyan, Fujian; and Yugan, Jiangxi, with a total investment exceeding 3.2 billion yuan and a total planned capacity of 4 GWh. Among these, the Yugan project is the largest, with an investment of 1.7 billion yuan to build a production site with an annual capacity of 2 GWh. The company is actively expanding its solid-state battery manufacturing capabilities through multi-site deployment.

Latest data from the General Administration of Customs shows that China's shell charcoal imports reached 16,164.37 mt in September 2025, surging 35% MoM and up 64% YoY. The average import price also rose, climbing from $755.4/mt in August to $819.6/mt, up 9% MoM. Behind these impressive figures, the explosive growth of the sodium-ion battery market is the core driver, coupled with supply-side constraints, jointly pushing the shell charcoal import market into a strong pattern of "rising volume and price."

Jinlongyu's solid-state battery business is being advanced by Jinlongyu New Energy (Huidong) Co., Ltd., which was established in February 2025 by Jinlongyu's controlling subsidiary, Jinlongyu New Energy (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of 100 million yuan. In April 2025, the company plans to invest 1.2 billion yuan in building a mass production line for key solid-state battery materials in the Huizhou New Materials Industrial Park, comprising construction investment of 870 million yuan and working capital of 330 million yuan. The project covers a land area of 79,561.2 m², and the construction period is expected not to exceed three years.

October 17: Northern ports: South African high-iron fines at 29.3-30 yuan/mtu, down 0.67% WoW; South African semi-carbonate at 34-34.5 yuan/mtu, down 0.58% WoW; Gabon fines at 39.6-40.2 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; Australian lumps at 40.2-40.9 yuan/mtu, down 0.74% WoW; South African medium-iron fines at 35-35.7 yuan/mtu, down 0.56% WoW. Southern ports: South African high-iron fines at 30.6-31.1 yuan/mtu, up 0.98% WoW; South African semi-carbonate at 36.9-37.4 yuan/mtu, up 1.64% WoW; Gabon fines at 40.6-40.9 yuan/mtu, up 0.49% WoW; Australian lumps at 40-40.5 yuan/mtu, up 0.50% WoW; South African medium-iron fines at 36.4-37.1 yuan/mtu, flat WoW.