The first Soryu-class diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) SS-511 "Phoenix Dragon" equipped with Li-ion batteries has been commissioned by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in a ceremony held at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) facility in Kobe, in Hyogo Prefecture in west-central Japan on March 5. It is also the world's first conventional sub to replace traditional lead-acid batteries with a lithium battery.

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

The ferro tungsten and tungsten carbide powder prices in the Chinese market remain weak adjustment affected by the imbalanced supply and demand and weakened market confidence. 

Chinese lanthanum oxide, neodymium oxide and dysprosium oxide prices are unchanged from the previous trading day on Mar. 15, 2020. The listed prices of Northern Rare Earth Group and Southern Rare Earth Group were mixed in early this month. 

Chinese molybdenum oxide and molybdenum concentrate prices climb slightly due to increased trading activity and decreased low-price resources. In the molybdenum concentrate market, the operating rate increases and mainstream mining enterprises keep firm offers with the effective control of coronavirus in China. 

Molybdenum materials advanced manufacturing (export) base project of Xiamen Tungsten Co., Ltd. (XTC) is included in the 2020 Chengdu key project plan. On March 7, the inauguration ceremony of 14 major industrial projects in Qingbaijiang District of Chengdu was held in the European Industry City. Among them, four projects in the European Industry City are listed in the city’s key project plan.

New lithium-sulfur battery cell prototype of British OXIS Energy Limited (hereinafter referred as OXIS) has been successfully tested with an energy density of 471Wh/kg and is expected to increase to 500Wh/kg in the next 12 months. The energy density of the battery approaching 500Wh/kg is an important sign that can nearly double the current mileage of electric vehicles. Take the 2019 Tesla Model S long-endurance model with the longest mileage among currently sold electric models as an example.

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

The ferro tungsten and tungsten powder prices in China tungsten market remain unchanged at the beginning of this week when market transactions are still affected by the deadlocked supply and demand. Moreover, the new guide prices from tungsten associations and listed companies were adjusted slightly, supporting current levels. 

Chinese rare earth prices maintain stability on the whole but start to show signs of weakness owing to sluggish demand and low procurement capability. Although downstream magnetic companies have not high willingness in taking goods, prices of light rare earth products dropped nearly to the cost line, which made sellers raised their offers. But the prices of dysprosium and terbium related products started to decline in the heavy rare earth market. 

The latest of ammonium molybdate, ammonium heptamolvbdate and molybdenum oxide prices in the Chinese market dropped slightly on low inquiry and purchasing from downstream. Upstream suppliers' confidence was weakened and product profits were squeezed. 

China Mobile announced the bidding announcement on March 4 for centralized procurement of lithium iron phosphate battery products for communications in 2020. The company plans to purchase a total of 610.2 million Ah (specification 3.2V) lithium communications batteries for telecommunications, and the procurement requirement gratification period is one year.