China’s imports of unwrought copper have also been trending lower since the sharp recovery from the pandemic amid stimulus spending in the middle of last year.
The proposals involve buying coal plants in developing economies in Asia and operating them for as long as 15 years before closing the sites ahead of current schedules.
China sucked in a record 4.67 million tonnes of refined copper last year, making it the single most important physical driver of the pandemic recovery rally.
Three big battery chemicals plants are set to come on line in coming months, while Germany's BASF is part of a pilot project to blend feeds used by battery makers.
Researchers have produced luminescent manganese complexes for more sustainable materials and catalysts for converting sunlight into other forms of energy.