The "anti-rat race" policy continues to stimulate a rebound in the commodity market.  

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, China imported 11,476.7 mt of husk charcoal in June 2025, down 1% MoM and 9% YoY. The average import price of husk charcoal in June was $652.95/mt. The average import price in May was $593.18/mt, indicating a 10% MoM increase in the average import price of husk charcoal.

Western manufacturers face new hurdles as Beijing's new export licensing requirements for eight crucial EV battery technologies potentially disrupt global supply chains and slow the transition to clean energy.

To promote the recycling of renewable resources and standardize the import management of recycled black mass raw materials for lithium-ion batteries and recycled steel raw materials, on June 9, 2025, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, jointly with the General Administration of Customs, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and the State Administration for Market Regulation, issued the Announcement on Regulating the Import Management of Recycled Black Mass Raw Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries and Recycled Steel Raw Materials (Announcement No.14 of 2025), which will come into effect on August 1, 2025.

[China Automobile Dealers Association: Passenger Car End-User Sales in July Expected to Reach Around 1.9 Million Units]

From an overall data analysis perspective, rigid demand in the energy storage sector provided stable support at the end of June. Both domestic and overseas demand received some support due to mid-year factors and various policies. The automotive sales boom driven by early June car shows gradually subsided. The market penetration rate of new energy vehicles remained stable, and current consumption momentum in the end market is insufficient. It is expected that there will be some incremental growth in end demand, but it will be relatively limited. In terms of market transactions, by the end of June, market activity remained subdued. Some echelon battery manufacturers basically avoided building significant inventory, maintaining a strategy of purchasing only for essential needs. Moving into July, after the mid-year period, demand in both the power and energy storage markets has the potential to decline further.