Industrial and Raw Material Supply Chain Daily — 2026-06-13
Nickel prices held between $18,500 and $19,250/ton in mid-June as reduced Indonesian mining licenses and Chinese sulfate export bans squeezed supply. Chery, Ceva Logistics, and CMA CGM signed an MOU to boost automotive logistics, while the EU is pushing a €1.5B loan and "Made in Europe" incentives to narrow the battery production gap.
Industrial and Raw Material Supply Chain Daily — 2026-06-13
1. Commodities Market Trends
Nickel: Prices are hovering between $18,500 and $19,250/ton this June, reflecting volatility since the early May peak. The market has shifted into a slight deficit due to a confluence of supply shocks: reduced mining licenses in Indonesia, China’s halt on sulfate exports, and new shipping constraints in the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil (WTI/Brent): As of June 12, prices remain below $100 per barrel. OPEC has revised its 2026 global oil demand growth forecast downward to 970,000 barrels per day, acknowledging that the impact of the Iran war has been more limited than initially anticipated.
Industrial Metals: Metals such as copper and aluminum are fluctuating amid macro-economic concerns and tariff support. Copper has shown weakness as inflation worries exert pressure on bond yields.
Battery Metals (Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt): Beyond nickel, the broader battery metal supply chain is feeling the indirect effects of the Middle East conflict.
2. Supply Chain Issues
- Chery, Ceva, and CMA CGM Automotive Logistics Partnership: Chinese EV maker Chery has signed a memorandum of understanding for long-term strategic cooperation with Ceva Logistics and CMA CGM. The partnership aims to strengthen Chery’s global supply chain and international expansion, with a focus on resilience and efficiency.
- EU Battery Manufacturing Capacity Plan: To close the battery manufacturing gap with China, the EU has introduced new policy tools, including €1.5B in loans and "Made in Europe" preference policies, aiming to chart a competitive path despite high costs.
- GM Weighs Shift Away from LFP Batteries: Reports suggest that GM may discontinue the use of LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries in future electric vehicles, signaling a potential change in battery strategy and a return to ternary batteries.
3. Core Industry Trends
Semiconductors
- Chip Industry Reaches $1 Trillion Milestone: The semiconductor industry is expected to hit a $1 trillion valuation in 2026, shifting from the periphery of the tech sector to the core of the global economy.
Secondary Batteries & EVs
- US Battery Storage Expansion, China Remains Critical: While automakers are expanding US battery storage supplies, federal rules effective January 2026 mandate that Chinese parts—classified as "Foreign Entities of Concern" (FEOC)—must account for 50% or less of components to qualify for tax credits.
4. Corporate Moves
-
Chery: Signed an automotive logistics MOU with Ceva Logistics and CMA CGM to bolster its global supply chain and international expansion.
-
GM (General Motors): Considering the discontinuation of LFP batteries in future electric vehicle models.
5. Daily Insight
The deepening supply deficit in the nickel market is sending a clear signal about the structure of mineral commodity pricing. Structural factors like Indonesia’s reduced mining licenses and China’s export curbs on sulfate are compounding with geopolitical constraints, such as shipping bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz, to heighten supply fears across all battery metals. This pressure is forcing automotive and EV manufacturers to accelerate supply chain diversification and localization.
The collaborations between Chery and Ceva Logistics, the EU’s battery manufacturing support, and GM’s shift in battery strategy all demonstrate how industries are responding to these supply risks. As companies and regions double down on securing domestic sources and improving resilience, the trend toward "friendshoring" in global supply chains is accelerating.
6. What to Watch Next
-
OPEC Monthly Demand Forecast Update: Potential adjustments to 2026 and 2027 demand forecasts as a key variable for the oil market.
-
Battery Production Costs and Price Trends: Shifts in the competitiveness of European battery prices following the new EU policy support.
7. Reader Action Items
-
Battery Metal Supply Contracts: Strengthen reviews of supply diversification and long-term contract conditions when sourcing core battery metals like nickel and cobalt.
-
Supply Chain Resilience Assessment: Evaluate internal supply chain vulnerabilities regarding the Middle East conflict and Chinese export restrictions, and identify alternative sources.
-
Utilize Government Support Programs: Review and prepare applications for regional support programs, such as EU battery manufacturing grants and US battery tax incentives.
Source Policy: All figures, company names, and contract details in this briefing are sourced exclusively from the original text provided above.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
Powered by
