China

March 2022 has been set as the official implementation date for two national standards covering “Recycled Wrought Aluminium Alloy Raw Materials” and “Recycled Pure Aluminium Raw Materials”, including details relating to classifications, packaging, inspection and testing methods, storage and transportation.

Jiangxi Copper, one of China’s largest copper producers, has announced new projects for the annual production of 220,000 tons of copper rods and 30,000 tons of copper castings, as well as for a US$ 1.76 billion investment in a 100,000-ton annual production lithium-copper foil factory by 2028.

Data show that new energy vehicle sales totalled a record-breaking 217,900 during June for a 181.7% year-on-year increase. Sales numbers are expected to trend further upwards for the third quarter.

With positive COVID cases reported at Chinese seaports, a “zero tolerance” policy is forcing affected terminals to shut down temporarily, leaving inbound vessels either anchored outside the ports or diverted to other ports nearby; crews are required to provide negative test results before discharging cargoes. This is worsening the global logistics crisis.

China has been imposing power consumption limits since the middle of the year, impacting many cities and their manufacturing sectors. For example, a major ferro-silicon producer is cutting production owing to tight controls on energy consumption. The short supply is driving price gains worldwide.