LG Energy Solution to Build Sodium-Ion Battery Mother Line in Ochang

[SMM Analysis: New Battery Consumption Tax Policy Takes Effect: Sodium-Ion Batteries Exempt, Lithium Batteries Taxed, Sodium-Ion Batteries Enter a "Tax Exemption Dividend Period"] SMM, July 21: The Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Taxation Administration recently jointly issued an announcement on the adjustment of the battery consumption tax policy. For the first time, lithium-ion batteries and similar products are included in the scope of consumption tax collection, while sodium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, fuel cells, and others are listed in the exemption catalog. This "tax-and-exempt" design has garnered widespread attention across the sodium-ion battery industry chain...

[SMM Analysis: China's Phosphate Ore Imports Increased MoM in June; Egypt's Share Plunged as Substitute Supplies from Jordan, Morocco, etc. Surged] July 20, 2026, sourced from customs data. In June 2026, China's phosphate ore imports were 137,000 mt, edging up 4.5% MoM from 131,000 mt in May. Total import value was $12.567 million, up 2.8% MoM. The average import unit price was $91.5/mt, edging down 1.7% from $93.0/mt in May.

SMM Cobalt Morning Briefing: This week, the cobalt industry chain remained in the doldrums overall, with market transactions generally sluggish. Refined cobalt returned to grinding lower, and despite smelters raising EXW prices to 390,000 yuan/mt, downstream only maintained just-in-time procurement, affected by the summer break and traditional consumption off-season; cobalt intermediate product prices were temporarily stable, while the disagreement between miners holding prices firm and smelters’ low-price procurement remained significant. Demand for cobalt sulphate, cobalt chloride, and Co3O4 all saw no significant improvement, with downstream inventories ample, and restocking may have to wait until after August. Mainstream cobalt powder transaction prices fell to 460,000 yuan/mt, with some low prices reaching 440,000–450,000 yuan/mt. The market remained in a weak stage of seeking a bottom.