Latest Update in the SMM Cobalt Market

Factorial Energy has achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of large-scale solid-state battery cells using FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology). These battery cells have an energy density of 375Wh/kg, can charge from 15% to 90% in just 18 minutes, and operate steadily within a temperature range of -30°C to 45°C.

[SMM Analysis: Inner Mongolia Jianheng Aoneng's 720V High-Voltage Solid-State Sodium Salt Battery Officially Enters Mass Production, Building the World's Largest Production Site] In July 2025, Inner Mongolia Jianheng Aoneng Technology Co., Ltd. held a commencement ceremony at the Dalateqi Economic Development Zone, announcing the official mass production of its technologically advanced 720V high-voltage solid-state sodium salt battery. This marks China as the world's third country, after the United States and Europe, to achieve commercial mass production of sodium salt batteries. It also signifies that Jianheng Aoneng will become the world's largest and most automated production site for solid-state sodium salt batteries in the future.

In the first half of 2025, all segments of the sodium-ion battery industry chain demonstrated significant growth. However, the industry also faced concurrent challenges of technological route changes, cost pressures, and market challenges, marking a critical turning point amid rapid development.

[SMM Analysis: In-depth Observation of the Sodium-ion Battery Industry in H1 2025: Restructuring of Material Systems and Evolution of Market Landscape] SMM reported on July 14: In the first half of 2025, all segments of the sodium-ion battery industry chain showed significant growth, but the industry also faced concurrent challenges of technological route changes, cost pressure, and market challenges, reaching a critical turning point amid rapid development...

Recently, the Congolese mining company Buenassa S.A.R.L. announced a partnership with the government to jointly develop Congo’s first integrated copper-cobalt refining plant. According to the agreement, the government will act as a strategic shareholder, holding a 10% equity stake in the subsidiary Buenassa Resources S.A. This collaboration not only focuses on the value-added processing of local mineral resources but also emphasizes the development of a responsible supply chain and the assertion of Congo's sovereignty over key mineral sectors.

As of this Friday, in northern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 39.5-40 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Friday; Australian seed ore was priced at 36-37 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Friday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 33.8-34.3 yuan/mtu, up 0.59% WoW from last Friday; Gabonese ore was priced at 37.8-38.8 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Friday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 29.3-29.6 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Friday. In southern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 39.5-40 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Friday; Australian seed ore was priced at 35.5-36 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Friday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 33.9-34.4 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Friday; Gabonese ore was priced at 38.8-39.3 yuan/mtu, up 0.77% WoW from last Friday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 28.5-29 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Friday. The futures market for SiMn was bullish this week...

In the first half of 2025 (H1), the phosphorus chemical industry experienced significant price fluctuations and capacity adjustments, primarily influenced by factors such as the global economic situation, raw material supply, and the growth in demand for new energy. On the demand side, the consumption of phosphorus resources in the new energy industry continued to increase. The usage of phosphoric acid and industrial-grade monoammonium phosphate (MAP) in the cathode material lithium iron phosphate (LFP) industry, as well as the application of yellow phosphorus in the main raw material LiPF6 for electrolytes, all saw substantial increases compared to the same period last year.