The non-ferrous metal industry will continue to operate steadily in the first quarter.

Vice President of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, Chen Xuesen, recently stated that the operation of the nonferrous metals industry in the first quarter will continue the good momentum seen at the end of 2025 and remain steady. This year, the industry is expected to maintain stable growth.

Specifically, this year, production will continue to operate steadily, with the added value of the nonferrous metals industry expected to increase by about 5% year-on-year; industry revenue and realized profits will continue to grow; investment will remain on the rise, although import and export trade face challenges.

In the investment sector, demand for nickel, cobalt, lithium, and other materials in downstream photovoltaic, wind power, and lithium battery sectors continues to rise. Coupled with the effective implementation of national policies to promote consumption, fixed asset investment in the nonferrous metals industry is expected to maintain growth.

“Domestically, the industry has a solid foundation for growth,” Chen Xuesen said. On one hand, a series of policies centered around the “Work Plan for Stable Growth in the Nonferrous Metals Industry (2025–2026)” and high-quality development plans for copper and aluminum industries are forming a systematic synergy, providing clear top-level design and pathway guidance for the industry from resource assurance to green transformation. On the other hand, the endogenous growth drivers are undergoing profound changes. The continued expansion of the “Three New” products and the rise of industries such as artificial intelligence together form the core engines driving the industry to ascend the high end of the value chain, indicating higher-quality structural growth. (Reporter Wang Yueyang)

【Source: Xinhua News Agency】