Shanghai Metals Market Metal Trading Center Co., Ltd

What Shanghai Metals Market Metal Trading Center Co., Ltd does

Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), founded in 1999 and headquartered in Shanghai, operates one of China's largest integrated internet platforms for ferrous and non-ferrous metals market intelligence. The company collects and publishes benchmark spot prices across 15,000+ metals and related commodities, including copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, nickel, tin, lithium, cobalt, and iron ore, alongside futures prices from SHFE, LME, GFEX, DCE, and CZCE. SMM has accumulated 20+ years of historical data in 150,000+ databases covering production, order books, inventories, and market forecasts, and is the first Chinese non-ferrous metals benchmark provider to pass independent external audit verification of IOSCO Principles for Financial Benchmarks for 5 consecutive years (since 2020).

SMM monetizes through a multi-stream model anchored on Professional and Enterprise subscription tiers (SMM Database Pro), a programmatic API, an Excel Add-In for desktop workflow integration, comprehensive research and analysis reports, and a large events franchise of 50+ industry conferences annually. The company serves 400,000+ enterprise users globally across the metals value chain, financial institutions, and government/court bodies that use SMM benchmarks for contract pricing, customs valuation, and dispute resolution. SMM maintains 12+ offices across China, the UK, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea, and is actively expanding into India, Vietnam, and Zambia as part of a Globalization 2.0 strategy. The platform draws 200,000+ daily page views and is integrated with exchange data infrastructure, providing the underlying data architecture for an emerging AI-enabled analytics layer branded Metrix.

Name

Shanghai Metals Market Metal Trading Center Co., Ltd

Legal name

SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.

Website

https://www.metal.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) is a Shanghai-based integrated internet platform providing IOSCO-compliant benchmark prices, market intelligence, and data services across ferrous, non-ferrous, and new energy metals to 400,000+ global enterprise, financial, and government users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Subscription Services: SMM provides subscription-based access to metal prices, historical market data, analysis reports and professional services. Services include SMM Professional Service (single user license, historical prices up to 3 years, data graphs and downloads) and SMM Enterprise Service (multiple user license, extended historical data).
2. Conference and Event Services: SMM organizes over 50 events, summits and conferences annually globally, generating revenue through ticket sales, exhibition booths, sponsorships and delegate registrations.
3. Data and Reports: Weekly and monthly reports in ferrous and non-ferrous industries, in-depth analysis and forecasting services provided by analyst team.
4. API and Software Services: SMM Database API for custom integration, Excel Add-in for desktop access, providing technical services to enterprise clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) operates an integrated internet platform providing metals market intelligence, benchmark prices, historical data, research reports, industry events, and data APIs for the global non-ferrous, ferrous, and new energy metals industries. Core offerings include the SMM Database Pro subscription, SMM Spot Metal Prices benchmarks, the SMM API, an Excel Add-In, AI-powered Metrix analytics, weekly/monthly research reports, and 50+ annual industry conferences serving 400,000+ enterprise customers worldwide.

Product overview

Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) operates as an integrated internet platform provider of nonferrous and ferrous metals, offering a comprehensive product ecosystem centered on benchmark prices, market intelligence, and data services. The core offerings include SMM Database Pro (providing 15K+ metal prices and 150K+ databases), the SMM API for programmatic access, SMM Excel Add-In for spreadsheet integration, and the Price Center for real-time spot and futures prices across SHFE, LME, and other exchanges. Supporting products include SMM Research Series reports, Events & Webinars (50+ industry conferences annually), SMM Methodology for price evaluation, and Metrix AI analytics. The platform serves 400,000+ enterprise users globally and maintains IOSCO-compliant benchmark processes audited by Bovill. The company has established international presence with offices in UK, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, India, and Zambia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SMM DatabasePro: A comprehensive database service offering 15K+ metal prices and 150K+ databases for enterprise-level customers.
• SMM Metrix

Products and services

• SMM Database Pro Comprehensive database platform offering 15,000+ metal prices, 150,000+ databases, and enterprise-level data covering production, order books, inventories, and market forecasts from domestic enterprises since 2007, designed for metals industry enterprise customers.
• SMM API Programmatic interface providing access to Database Pro data including options, futures, historical prices, and news, enabling complete automation and custom solution building for enterprise workflows.
• SMM Excel Add-In Excel plugin enabling users to view latest market data directly within Excel using specialized formulas and functions to transform raw data into actionable insights for metals market analysts.
• SMM Price Center Platform providing spot metal prices, futures prices across SHFE, LME, GFEX, DCE, and CZCE exchanges, historical prices, average settlement prices, and import arbitrage tools for metals market participants.
• Metrix (AI Analytics) AI-powered analytics tool for metals market analysis and insights, branded as Metrix and hosted at ai.metal.com.
• SMM Research Series and Industry Reports Comprehensive market analysis publications including forecasts, market trends, and in-depth analytics delivered by experienced analysts covering copper, aluminum, nickel, steel, and other metals on weekly and monthly basis.
• SMM Events and Webinars Trade shows, summits, and conferences bringing together industry leaders across ferrous and non-ferrous metals sectors, including the GBRC Battery Recycling Conference, GRMI Renewable Metal Summit, Zinc Industry Conference, and regional industry conferences.
• SMM Methodology (Benchmark Methodology) Systematic price evaluation system providing objective spot price benchmarks for bulk commodities including metals, following IOSCO Principles for Financial Benchmarks, used for contract pricing and trade dispute resolution.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400,000+ enterprise users rely on SMM benchmarks daily
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Malaysia Steel Institute (MSI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2026SMM visited MSI on August 4, 2026 in Kuala Lumpur to explore cooperation in industry data services, exhibition synergy, and broader ASEAN ferrous metals industry chain development. Both organizations reached preliminary cooperation consensus, with MSI intending to leverage SMM's industry chain data for monitoring steel capacity, production, and supply-demand dynamics in Southeast Asia. SMM will host the 2026 SMM ASEAN Ferrous Metals Summit in Kuala Lumpur from November 26-27, 2026.
• Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation (MISIF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2026SMM visited MISIF on July 31 to discuss cross-border cooperation, exhibition partnership, and industrial information sharing in the ASEAN ferrous metals sector. Both sides agreed to establish a regularized communication mechanism for ongoing collaboration on industry data, market information, and industry trends. SMM announced it will hold the 2026 ASEAN Ferrous Metals Summit in Kuala Lumpur from November 26-27, 2026.
• Xingfa Aluminium (Vietnam Factory)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2026SMM delegation visited Xingfa Aluminium's Vietnam factory on July 20, 2026, to discuss establishing a Vietnam aluminum pricing benchmark. Both parties reached consensus on aluminum price data collection, marketing promotion, and industry event organization, with SMM planning to officially launch SMM Vietnam Aluminum Prices at AICE 2026 Southeast Asia Aluminum Conference in Ho Chi Minh City on November 19-20, 2026.
• Vietnam Metal Recycling Forum (VMRF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026VMRF delegation visited SMM headquarters in Shanghai on July 10 to discuss cooperation in Southeast Asia's recycled metals industry, including market expansion and joint industry summit planning. SMM outlined its global expansion strategy with new offices in Vietnam, South Korea, India, and Zambia. The return visit marks deepening of bilateral cooperation that began with SMM's 2025 trip to Vietnam, with both sides aiming to establish long-term collaboration mechanisms.
• Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa)strategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026SMM announced strategic cooperation with WiM-Africa for the 2026 SMM Copper Industry Conference & Expo to deepen China-Africa cooperation in nonferrous metals. The partnership will establish communication channels and host events like the 'Africa Special Salon' to facilitate investment and trade between Chinese firms and African mining projects.
• Indonesia Nickel Miners Association (APNI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026 is co-organized with APNI and Vinmart Group, partnered with the Jakarta Futures Exchange, attracting over 3,500 attendees, 120+ industry experts, and 60+ exhibitors from 45 countries to discuss critical minerals, energy transition, and mining industry trends.
• International Lithium Association (ILiA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022SMM has maintained membership in ILiA for four consecutive years since joining in November 2022, marking a long-standing partnership in the global lithium sector. The two organizations recently reached a newly upgraded cooperation model involving deeper collaboration in market intelligence, ESG development, cross-border industry matchmaking, and battery circular economy. SMM CEO Logan Lu stated that the upgraded partnership aligns with the globalisation and low-carbon development of the lithium industry.
• Xizang Zhihui Mining Co., Ltd.strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMM served as the exclusive industry advisor for Xizang Zhihui Mining's listing on the Main Board of HKEX on December 19, 2025, raising approximately HKD 550 million. SMM provided full-cycle industry research and disclosure support throughout the listing process.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Argus Media: Global price-reporting agency covering metals, energy, and agricultural commodities with subscription benchmarks, conferences, and consulting. Closest direct comparable to SMM in business model (subscription benchmarks + events + consulting) and end markets (metals producers, traders, financial institutions).
• Fastmarkets: Price-reporting agency specializing in metals, steel, and battery materials benchmarks. Acquired by Verisk for ~$2.8B in 2022. Directly competes with SMM in non-ferrous metals and increasingly in lithium/battery-materials pricing.
• CRU Group: Commodity research and consulting firm focused on metals, mining, fertilizer, and steel markets. Directly comparable to SMM in subscription-based metals intelligence, market analysis, and global event programming.
• Mysteel (Shanghai Ganglian E-Commerce Holdings): China-based steel and ferrous-metals information services provider with price benchmarks, data subscriptions, and conferences. SMM's closest domestic competitor in China; both serve overlapping metals-industry customers with parallel benchmark offerings.
• Asian Metal: China-headquartered metals market information platform covering non-ferrous and minor metals with price reporting, supplier directories, and conferences. Directly competes with SMM in the Chinese and international non-ferrous-metals benchmark market.
• Benchmark Mineral Intelligence: Specialist price-reporting agency focused on lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and battery supply chains. Highly comparable to SMM's battery-materials business and the most direct competitor in the lithium/energy-transition metals benchmark space.

Broad incumbents

• S&P Global Commodity Insights (Platts): Global commodity benchmark and analytics business within S&P Global, with broad coverage across energy, metals, and agricultural markets. Overlaps with SMM in non-ferrous-metals benchmarks but operates at much larger scale with a broader portfolio including energy benchmarks.
• Wood Mackenzie: Global research and consultancy business covering energy, metals, and mining value chains with subscription research, consulting, and events. Comparable to SMM's research and consulting offerings but with a Western-centric customer base and broader energy focus.
• Bloomberg L.P. Global financial data and analytics platform that includes commodities coverage (Bloomberg Terminal / BloombergNEF). Competes with SMM in real-time metals pricing and market data distribution to financial institutions, though as part of a much broader product portfolio.

Others

• London Metal Exchange (LME): World's largest exchange for industrial metals trading, which also distributes market data and reference prices. Indirectly comparable to SMM as a metals-data ecosystem player, but operates as an exchange infrastructure provider rather than a subscription-based intelligence platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CnMetals
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ShanghaiMetalsMarket
• Facebookfacebook.com/smm.china
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shanghai-metals-market
• Instagraminstagram.com/smm_shanghaimetalsmarket

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shanghai Metals Market Metal Trading Center Co., Ltd