Qinghai Haixi Da Qaidam Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake: Lithium Chemical Production Unaffected

[SMM Analysis: Warm Isostatic Pressing Material Misalignment: The "Achilles' Heel" of Sulfide Solid-State Battery Mass Production] Warm isostatic pressing is the core process for solid–solid interface densification in sulfide all-solid-state batteries. However, the substantial differences in compressive modulus and plastic deformation among cathode and anode active materials, solid-state electrolyte, and copper and aluminum current collectors cause non-uniform creep and interlayer slip within the multi-layer structure under 600 MPa isotropic high pressure. This is tolerable in small laboratory cells, but when scaling up to large-capacity automotive-grade cells, the yield crashes. The solution priorities are clear: material modification (addressing the root cause) > process optimization (providing relief) > equipment upgrade (limited symptom treatment with a clear ceiling). The hardware gap for China's warm isostatic pressing equipment continues to narrow, but shortcomings remain in process databases and turnkey solutions. The industry is now in a window period for pilot-scale equipment procurement, and China's iteration pace is faster than that outside China. The long-term success of equipment suppliers depends on turnkey line solutions and partnerships with leading clients, while standalone machine performance is merely the entry barrier. Constrained by the material misalignment bottleneck, achieving full-scale solid-state battery integration at the million-unit level before 2030 is extremely difficult, with only small-batch demonstrations in high-end car models likely to appear from 2027 to 2029.

[SMM Daily Comment: Spot Lithium Carbonate Price Edges Up on July 29] SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate spot price edged up today from the previous working day. In the futures market, the lithium carbonate 2609 contract opened flat at 143,500 yuan/mt today, briefly dipped to 142,500 yuan/mt after opening, then found support. Bulls continued to enter, pushing prices up in a volatile manner. The contract shot up to 149,400 yuan/mt in the morning session, then faced bearish selling pressure and pulled back. Around midday, bulls and bears tussled repeatedly in the 147,000–148,500 yuan/mt range. In the afternoon, bulls consolidated at highs, with prices moving sideways above the average price line (146,600 yuan/mt). The contract consolidated at highs into the close, ending near 147,600 yuan/mt, and finally closed up 2.07% at 147,600 yuan/mt, with open interest decreasing by 11,126 lots. In the spot market, as prices fluctuated upward, downstream users purchased as needed on dips, mostly staying cautious. Upstream lithium chemical plants continued to hold prices firm and hold back from selling, with some still anchoring their spot order willingness-to-sell price above 160,000 yuan/mt. Overall, inquiries and actual transactions remained relatively stable.

[China’s first all-electric car carrier heavy truck officially put into operation, FAW Jiefang drives green transformation of vehicle logistics] FAW Jiefang, targeting the round-trip vehicle transport scenario, has officially put into operation its independently developed all-electric central axle trailer transport vehicle, effectively filling the gap in new energy car carriers in this field. This is a key implementation move by FAW Jiefang to actively respond to the national “dual carbon” strategy and facilitate the new energy transformation and upgrading of the transportation industry. It also represents a breakthrough practice in building “Green Jiefang,” providing solid support for the low-carbon and highly efficient development of the logistics industry.