Ronbay Technology Expects H1 Return to Profit as LMFP Reaches Full Production and Sodium-Ion Cathodes Scale Up

POSCO Future M is moving ahead with manufacturing innovation by applying artificial intelligence (AI) across its entire production process. The company announced on July 28 that it has set “Battery of Things (BoT) Ecosystem Game Changer” as its digital innovation vision and established a roadmap for process standardization and company-wide, data-driven AI transformation (AX). POSCO Future M plans to complete the establishment of an AI-based manufacturing innovation system by the first half of 2028. At manufacturing sites, the company aims to introduce physical AI that analyzes equipment and production data in real time to control processes, with the goal of increasing productivity by 30%.

SMM Cobalt Morning Briefing: This week, the cobalt industry chain continued to be in the doldrums. Refined cobalt prices were lowered to 360,000 yuan/mt, with off-season demand sluggish; for cobalt intermediate products, the price spread between upstream and downstream diverged noticeably, hindering deal progress. In the cobalt salt and Co3O4 markets, inquiries and order signing were limited, and prices mainly moved sideways. Cobalt powder transaction prices remained at 455,000 yuan/mt, but demand was cautious, and there was still short-term pressure to test the bottom. Orders for ternary cathode precursors and ternary cathode materials were relatively stable; LCO prices were lowered due to falling raw material costs; and the market focused on the pace of restocking in Q3.

[SMM Cobalt & Lithium Morning Brief: Battery Material Prices Show Divergent Trends, End-user Procurement Remains Cautious] Lithium ore prices are in the doldrums but low-priced resources are limited, lithium carbonate spot and futures prices rebounded, and lithium hydroxide maintained a steady slight increase. Refined cobalt and cobalt salt are generally in the doldrums, impacted by off-season demand, sufficient inventory, and cautious procurement. Nickel sulphate cost support strengthened, ternary cathode precursor prices held steady, and ternary cathode material rebounded slightly, but actual cargo pick-up remained cautious. LFP prices declined along with raw material, while shipments continued to grow, supported by energy storage and commercial vehicle demand. Anode, separator, and electrolyte prices were generally stable, with expectations for some raw material cost transmission downstream. Sodium-ion battery material supply remained relatively tight, while the recycling market consolidated on a weak note due to fluctuations in lithium and cobalt raw material prices.