Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the dominance of China in the production of rare metals, with significant implications for global supply chains and potential risks for industries reliant on these materials [1][5][9]. Group 1: Risk Elements and Production - There are 118 elements that constitute materials, with 65 elements having calculable production shares by country. Among these, 36 are classified as "risk elements," with 30 of them being predominantly produced by China [3][4]. - China is the largest producer of 80% of the identified risk elements, which include critical materials for electronics and electric vehicles (EVs) [5][7]. - The production of certain elements, such as indium (In) and bismuth (Bi), is heavily concentrated in China, with over 70% of the refining share controlled by the country [5]. Group 2: Global Supply Chain Concerns - The article discusses the urgent search by Japan, the US, and Europe for stable supplies of rare metals due to potential supply risks, particularly for materials essential in smartphones and EVs [1][5]. - The geopolitical landscape is shifting, with countries like Indonesia imposing export bans on nickel (Ni), which could further complicate the supply chain for risk elements [7]. Group 3: Japan's Response and Initiatives - Japan is exploring seabed resources around Minami-Torishima Island to secure rare earth elements, aiming to reduce reliance on Chinese supplies [8]. - The country is also focusing on urban mining, targeting waste from old appliances and EVs to recover valuable materials like cobalt (Co) and nickel [9]. - A commercial plant for lithium-ion battery recycling is set to be completed by Sumitomo Metal Mining in June 2026, indicating a proactive approach to resource recovery [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the innovative research by a PhD graduate focused on recycling waste lithium batteries, emphasizing the potential for resource recovery and environmental benefits in the context of limited mineral resources and increasing demand for lithium in electric vehicle production [1][2]. Group 1: Research and Innovation - The researcher employs electrochemical techniques to process waste lithium batteries, allowing lithium to be reintroduced into the battery production chain [1]. - The innovative selective acid leaching process extracts lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from mixed electrode materials, transforming them into high-quality battery materials [2]. - The technology has been recognized by the company, which sees it as a significant advancement in the recycling of waste lithium batteries, optimizing processes and reducing production costs [2]. Group 2: Industry Context - The article discusses the growing reliance on lithium batteries in electric vehicles and the challenges posed by the dependence on imported materials like cobalt and nickel [1]. - It emphasizes the importance of recycling electronic waste, which can be viewed as "urban mines," to alleviate resource shortages and environmental pressures [1]. - The rising prices of lithium carbonate in 2022 highlighted the urgency of developing technologies to recycle and recover lithium from waste sources [1].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the innovative research of Ding Weigang, a PhD graduate from Wuhan University of Technology, focusing on the recycling of waste lithium batteries to alleviate resource shortages and environmental pressures in the context of the growing demand for lithium batteries in electric vehicles [1][3]. Group 1: Research and Innovation - Ding Weigang is conducting research on the recycling of waste lithium batteries, utilizing electrochemical technology to recover lithium and other valuable materials from discarded batteries [1][3]. - The research addresses the limited availability of mineral resources and the environmental impact of mining by extracting metals from electronic waste, which is referred to as "urban mining" [3]. - The technology developed by Ding involves selective acid leaching to extract lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from mixed electrode materials, transforming them into high-quality products suitable for battery production [4]. Group 2: Industry Context - The increasing use of lithium batteries in electric vehicles has led to a surge in lithium prices, highlighting the urgency of developing recycling technologies to mitigate resource scarcity [3]. - The research aligns with the industry's need to reduce reliance on imported materials such as cobalt and nickel, thereby enhancing resource security through domestic recycling efforts [3]. - The technology has been recognized by Greeenmei, with the company's Wuhan Research Institute director praising its ability to optimize processes and reduce production costs, marking it as a significant technological advancement for the company [4].

Core Value of Rhodium Recovery - Rhodium is one of the rarest precious metals globally, with market prices exceeding 1445 RMB per gram by 2025, and its recovery value is significantly higher [1] - Companies like Hede Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. in Jiaozuo have improved rhodium recovery purity to over 99.95%, establishing a closed-loop economy model [1] - Leading companies such as Fuxin Precious Metals have adopted a full industry chain model of "recovery-refining-sales," increasing profit margins by 20% compared to single recovery models [1] Application Scenarios Driving Rhodium Recovery Demand - **Automotive Industry**: Each National VI standard vehicle requires 5-8 grams of rhodium for catalytic converters, with companies in Jiaozuo enhancing recovery rates by 2%-3% through vacuum drying methods [1] - **Chemical Industry**: A chemical company in Jiaozuo has achieved a stable recovery rate of 85%-90% for 5% palladium-carbon waste using innovative extraction techniques [3] - **New Energy Sector**: Rhodium-based catalysts in fuel cells show a 41% improvement in catalytic activity compared to traditional platinum-based materials, with a pilot production base being established in Jiaozuo [5] Technological Breakthroughs in Recovery Methods - **Physical Methods**: High-temperature melting at 1200-1500°C has improved recovery rates to 95%, with a processing capacity of 500 tons annually [6] - **Chemical Methods**: Advanced techniques have reduced processing costs by 30% for rhodium-iridium alloy waste [8] - **Biological Methods**: Innovative microbial metallurgy techniques have achieved over 99% recovery rates while reducing energy consumption by 60% [8] Policy Empowerment and Financial Innovations - **Fiscal Subsidies**: Companies recovering over 50 tons annually receive a 15% VAT rebate, increasing profits by 12% for compliant firms [9] - **Smart Platforms**: IoT-driven waste recovery platforms in Jiaozuo enhance response times by 50% and reduce logistics costs by 15% [10] - **Futures Hedging**: The Shanghai Futures Exchange plans to launch palladium-carbon futures contracts in 2025, allowing companies to hedge against price fluctuations [11] Future Trends in the Industry - **EU Carbon Certification**: Companies obtaining international sustainability certifications can access premium pricing, generating an additional 5000-8000 RMB per ton [14] - **Microbial Technology**: The integration of ultrasonic-assisted extraction with microbial metallurgy is expected to lead to fully automated production processes [14] - **Urban Mining**: The Jiaozuo model demonstrates that through technological innovation and policy collaboration, urban mining can unlock trillion-level resource values [14]

Core Insights - The company held its 2024 annual and Q1 2025 performance briefing on May 6, 2025, showcasing its core competitiveness and understanding of future industry dynamics, technological innovation, and ESG values [1][6][10] Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a record revenue of 33.2 billion yuan, an increase of 8.75% year-on-year, with a net profit of 1.02 billion yuan, up 9.19% [1][6] - The Q1 2025 report indicated a revenue of 9.496 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 13.67%, and a net profit of 511 million yuan, up 12.10% [1][6] Operational Strategy - The company operates on a dual-track model focusing on "urban mining + new energy materials manufacturing," which has led to significant growth in revenue, net profit, and operating cash flow [6][9] - The utilization rate of the core new energy business exceeds 95%, significantly higher than the industry average, with an average shipment growth rate of 65% [6][7] Innovation and Technology - The company has over 5,000 patent applications, holding the largest number of patents in the waste recycling sector globally [9] - Key innovations include breakthroughs in nickel core-shell precursor production and advancements in hydrometallurgical technology for nickel ore [9][10] ESG and Sustainability - The company emphasizes green and circular economy principles, maintaining a top 10% rating in ESG dimensions and initiating a carbon disclosure project [10] - Plans for 2025-2027 include maintaining a 20% growth rate in sales revenue and a 36% growth rate in core product shipments [10] Capital Strategy - The company has outlined three capital market plans, including mergers and acquisitions in domestic resource businesses and a potential secondary listing in Hong Kong [10]