CSB Supplies Self-Lubricating Bearings to Tesla, Expands into Embodied AI Industry Collaboration

[Solid-State Battery: LG Energy Solution Swings to Profit in Q2, Launches All-Solid-State Dry Electrode Pilot Line in H2] On July 30, 2026, LG Energy Solution announced its Q2 2026 financial results, with revenue of 7.6 trillion won and operating profit of 113.3 billion won. H1 revenue reached 14.1 trillion won, up 10.5% YoY. The company announced that it will establish a pilot line for all-solid-state batteries using dry electrode process in H2 2026 to accelerate product development and mass production preparation, but did not disclose details such as location, capacity, and commissioning time. Meanwhile, the company plans to deliver sodium-ion battery samples to clients in 2027. This move indicates that LG Energy Solution is accelerating its catch-up with top-tier players such as CATL, and the dry electrode process is seen as a key path to reducing solid-state battery costs. The industry timetable consensus remains semi-solid-state batteries in vehicles in 2026, small-batch all-solid-state battery production in 2027, and large-scale commercial use after 2030.

[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Edged Down on July 30] Today, SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate spot price edged down slightly from the previous working day. In the futures market, the lithium carbonate 2609 contract opened lower at 143,900 yuan/mt today, briefly shot up to 144,400 yuan/mt after the opening before being knocked down by bears, then consolidated lower and broke below the average price line. In the morning session, it fluctuated weakly in the range of 142,000-143,500 yuan/mt. Near the end of the morning session, bears mounted a concentrated attack, driving the price quickly down to around 140,000 yuan/mt. In the afternoon, it consolidated at lows, and in the final session, bears pressed again, causing the price to accelerate its decline and hit a new intraday low, touching 137,800 yuan/mt. It finally settled down 4.84% at 137,800 yuan/mt, with open interest decreasing by 3,001 lots. In the spot market, as it was the month-end, downstream procurement pace slowed down, with purchases mainly made on a dip-buying, as-needed basis. Upstream lithium chemical plants continued to hold spot order prices firm, and additional volumes under long-term contracts increased. Overall, market inquiries and actual transactions remained relatively stable.

[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Edges Down on July 31] Today, SMM battery-grade spot lithium carbonate prices edged down slightly from the previous working day. In futures, the lithium carbonate 2609 contract opened low at 143,900 yuan/mt today, briefly shot up to 144,400 yuan/mt before being pressured by bears, and prices consolidated lower and broke below the average price line. During the morning session, prices fluctuated weakly in the 142,000–143,500 yuan/mt range; near midday, bears intensified pressure, and prices rapidly dropped to around 140,000 yuan/mt. In the afternoon, prices consolidated at lows, and near the close, bears pressed again, causing prices to slide further and hit a fresh intraday low of 137,800 yuan/mt. The contract ultimately closed down 4.84% at 137,800 yuan/mt, with open interest decreasing by 3,001 lots. In the spot market, at month-end, the downstream procurement pace slowed, with purchasing on dips as needed dominating. Upstream lithium chemical plants continued to hold spot order prices firm, and long-term contract volume additions increased. Overall, market inquiries and actual transactions were relatively stable. In July, affected by maintenance at lithium chemical plants using both spodumene and lepidolite routes, China's lithium carbonate production saw a notable decline. Entering August, although maintenance at plants relying on spodumene and lepidolite continues, salt lake lithium extraction benefited from warmer weather, and output climbed significantly, which is expected to effectively supplement overall supply. Overall, China's total lithium carbonate production in August is expected to increase by 7% MoM.