On February 3, the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association held a press conference on the economic performance of the nonferrous metals industry in 2025. The conference noted that the nonferrous metals industry enjoys a solid foundation for growth in 2026. On the one hand, a series of policies, centering on the industry steady growth plan and the high-quality development implementation plans for the copper and aluminum industries, are forming systematic synergies, providing clear top-level design and pathway guidance for the industry ranging from resource security to green transformation. On the other hand, the structure of endogenous growth drivers is undergoing profound changes. The continuous expansion of the “new three types” of exports and the rise of future industries such as artificial intelligence together constitute the core engine driving the industry to move up the value chain, indicating higher-quality structural growth. Overall, the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association expects the nonferrous metals industry to maintain steady growth in 2026. The first quarter will continue the sound momentum seen at the end of last year, achieving a promising start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association has provided preliminary forecasts for the main indicators of the nonferrous metals industry for the full year of 2026 as follows: First, production will remain stable. The value-added of the nonferrous metals industry is expected to grow by around 5% year-on-year. Based on production characteristics and capacity construction, the output of ten common nonferrous metals is projected to increase by about 2% year-on-year in 2026. Among them, refined copper output will rise by roughly 5%, while primary aluminum output will remain largely flat. Industrial value-added is expected to stay at around 5%. Second, corporate revenue and profits will maintain growth. In terms of prices, industrial silicon and lithium carbonate prices are expected to stabilize and rebound in 2026, while prices of major common nonferrous metals such as copper and aluminum will fluctuate at high levels. Industry revenue is expected to increase by about 5%, with a slight rise in total profits. Third, investment will keep growing, while foreign trade will face challenges. Demand for nickel, cobalt, lithium and high-tech metal materials from downstream sectors including photovoltaics, wind power and lithium batteries continues to climb. Coupled with the effective implementation of national consumption-boosting policies, fixed-asset investment in the nonferrous metals industry is expected to maintain growth. Affected by volatile global geopolitical conditions and conflicts, the industry will face greater import and export pressure, and the growth rate of nonferrous metals exports may slow down. The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association stated that through years of persistent efforts, China’s nonferrous metals industry has continuously enhanced its position and competitiveness in the global industrial division of labor by virtue of its prominent scale advantages and complete industrial system. Going forward, in the face of the restructuring and reshaping of the global industrial structure and layout driven by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, the industry will consolidate the leading position of its advantageous sectors, improve the self-reliance and security level of industrial and supply chains, accelerate the transformation toward high-end, intelligent and green development, and strive to achieve a sound start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period. [Data source: Compiled from public information]