Could the Middle East become an anode supply chain hub?

Article | Jun 18, 2026 | 3 min read

Could the Middle East become an anode supply chain hub?

The Middle East is rapidly establishing itself as a key growth hub for the anode supply chain, underpinned by large-scale investments, strategic geographic positioning, and competitively priced energy. The region’s push into battery materials reflects a broader shift as Gulf economies look to diversify away from hydrocarbons and position themselves within the global energy transition. As of 2026, the region has no active capacity, yet Benchmark data shows that the Middle East will account for 11% of 2030 capacity for traditional anode active material (AAM) in the ex-China market, with this share remaining broadly stable through to 2035.

Manganese Metal Company begins commissioning South Africa’s first battery-grade manganese sulphate plant

Article | Jun 18, 2026 | 3 min read

Manganese Metal Company begins commissioning South Africa’s first battery-grade manganese sulphate plant

Manganese Metal Company (MMC) has commenced commissioning South Africa’s first high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) facility at its Mbombela refinery in Mpumalanga. This is a significant step for the country which has long been the world's largest supplier of manganese ore. MMC has operated in Mbombela since 1974 as the world's largest non-Chinese producer of selenium-free electrolytic manganese metal (EMM). It sources ore from the Kalahari Manganese Field in the Northern Cape. The company has added HPMSM production through a brownfield expansion to its existing refinery. MMC is wholly-owned by South African companies.

VW Group begins mass production of its small segment EVs

Article | Jun 18, 2026 | 3 min read

VW Group begins mass production of its small segment EVs

VW Group has started series production of its ‘Electric Urban Car Family’ series with the Volkswagen ID.Polo and Cupra Ravel in Martorell, Spain. Assembly of the Skoda Epiq started just days later at the automaker’s facility near Pamplona, Spain, the same site that will also produce the Volkswagen ID.Cross from later this year. While other European vehicle manufacturers have launched several small segment EVs, such as the Renault 5 and Citroen eC3, over the past two years, this is the first time the lineup of the region’s largest automotive group has offered vehicles in this segment since the all-electric Volkswagen UP! was discontinued in 2023.

Chinese OEM energy storage offtakes in H1 2026 quadruple compared to H1 2025

Article | Jun 17, 2026 | 3 min read

Chinese OEM energy storage offtakes in H1 2026 quadruple compared to H1 2025

Global battery energy stationary storage (BESS) offtake agreements from Chinese OEMs in H1 2026 were over four times their H1 2025 level in GWh terms, Benchmark analysis shows, reaching 659GWh so far in 2026. Large offtake agreements of ≥10GWh capacity represented the largest proportion, with 474GWh capacity signed in H1 2026 through 25 agreements, up from 102GWh in H1 2025 from five agreements.

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