Hydro Launches New Automotive Aluminum Parts Plant in Taicang, Supplying BMW and Boosting Local Industry

[SMM Aluminum Express] According to Hongjin New Materials, the Hongjin New Materials Nantong Research Institute and a leading China-based embodied robot enterprise jointly tackled key problems for nearly six months, successfully developing a specialized high-strength and high-toughness aluminum alloy structural component. It has been mass-produced and applied in the latest-generation flagship robot. The material achieves a combination of light weight, high strength, and high toughness, with bulk properties reaching UTS ≥380 MPa, YTS ≥300 MPa, A ≥8%, and fatigue strength ≥120 MPa. Used for critical load-bearing components such as joint brackets, mass production commenced in Q2 2026, pioneering a new model of "deep integration between material R&D and end-use applications."

[SMM Aluminum Bulletin] China's secondary aluminum alloy ingot inventory in major consumption areas was 25,500 mt today, down 463 mt from the previous day. Foshan and Ningbo continued destocking.