Spot copper concentrate processing charges dropped slightly during the week ended Friday November 12, with the market focused on 2022 contract negotiations. Spot activity was minimal, with treatment charges for smelter purchases and trader purchases in the low-$60-per-tonne and low-$50-per-tonne range respectively. As a result, Fastmarkets' calculation of the copper concentrate TC index, cif...Read More
The gap between spot prices for ferro-chrome in China and major stainless steel mills' November tender prices narrowed in the past week, with the former sliding further on destocking pressure while contract buyers showed more willingness to pay more to secure their feedstock.Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group (Tisco) and the Baosteel Group both raised their November tender prices for high-carbon ferro-chr...Read More
Fastmarkets has identified a necessary clarification of the holiday pricing schedule for its seaborne Asian battery-grade lithium prices. The two price assessments for battery-grade seaborne lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide monohydrate on a cif China, Japan & Korea basis will be published daily from December 1, 2021. This follows the conclusion of a consultation to increase the pricing freq...Read More
China's output and sales of automobiles continued their year-on-year decline in October due to the continuing semiconductor chip shortage, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said in its monthly report published on Wednesday November 10.Automobile output and sales in the country dropped by 8.8% and 9.4% year on year respectively, both to 2.33 million units in October, CAAM dat...Read More
China's output and sales of automobiles continued their year-on-year decline in October due to the continuing semiconductor chip shortage, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said in its monthly report published on Wednesday November 10.Automobile output and sales in the country dropped by 8.8% and 9.4% year on year respectively, both to 2.33 million units in October, CAAM dat...Read More
Chinese battery materials producer CNGR Advanced Material Co, co-operating with its Singapore-based partner Rigqueza International, has announced an additional investment of $330 million in its nickel matte project in Indonesia, the company disclosed in a filing to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Wednesday November 10.According to the filing, CNGR will use the additional funding in the nickel matte...Read More
Production output for mining companies across base metals is likely to remain low despite significant additional capacity because miners face challenges from climate disruptions, ageing mines and Covid-19-related delays, Australian consultancy and research firm Cape Noir said on Thursday November 11."A lot of assets are showing declines in production and rolling delays to maintenance. Assets have...Read More
Johnson Matthey (JM) is pursuing the sale of all or parts of its battery materials division following a detailed review.This reflects the high capital intensity of those operations in the face of competition from more established large-scale, low-cost producers, the UK-based specialty chemical and sustainable technologies company said in a press release on Thursday November 11.Growth in demand for...Read More
Turkish steel mills were quiet in the deep-sea scrap import markets on Thursday November 11 after booking two cargoes from the Baltic Sea region, sources told Fastmarkets.A steel mill in the Marmara region had booked two Baltic Sea cargoes late on Tuesday November 9 at $497 and $500 per tonne cfr on HMS 1&2 (80:20) basis. Turkish steelmakers required more cargoes for December,...Read More
Chinese exporters of ammonium paratungstate (APT) tried to hold their offers firm this past week, despite the overall export market being inactive and domestic prices in China falling, according to sources.Fastmarkets' weekly price assessment for tungsten APT 88.5% WO3 min, fob main ports China was $313-319 per metric tonne unit (mtu) on Wednesday November 10, widening downward by $2 per mtu from...Read More
Steel billet prices to Egypt declined in the week to Thursday November 11, with demand from the private sector remaining weak, while government-funded projects continued, sources told Fastmarkets.Local rebar prices in Egypt have been unchanged since October 28 at E ?14,900-15,350 ($946-975) per tonne ex-works, including 14% VAT. ...Read More
Nickel, a key raw material in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs), has gradually grown its market share amid a global shift away from fossil fuels.But with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries making a comeback in the EV market in China, a shadow is being cast on the growth potential for nickel consumption in 2022.The stainless steel market, which accounts for approximately 90%...Read More
Base metals prices on both the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were for the most part firmer this morning, Thursday November 11 - it would seem dip-buying has dominated once again.Consumer prices in the United States and China rise more than expected.US Dollar Index shoots up to 95 while the rally extends.Base metalsThree-month base metals prices on the LME were mainly stronger...Read More
Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were largely up at the 5pm close of trading on Thursday November 11, after a strong morning performance and reassuring news that emerged from the Chinese property sector."Chinese stock markets gained, on growing confidence that the authorities would ease the crackdown on the property sector and support developers," Anna Stablum, LME desk analyst at M...Read More
Bangladeshi steelmakers have largely opted to stay away from buying in the scrap import market this week in the hope that prices will continue to fall, sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday November 11.- Bangladesh buyers step back from market - Shredded scrap offers rise to Bangladesh amid strong Pakistan market - Taiwanese consumers continue to bid low Bangladesh There was a lack of import ac...Read More
European hot-rolled coil prices were stable to slightly lower on Thursday November 11, on subdued activity, but producers hope to achieve higher prices in the first quarter of 2022, sources told Fastmarkets.Trading activity was slow, with buyers refraining from making purchases and instead assessing the situation. Producers, meanwhile, were looking to achieve higher prices for the first quarter of...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday November 11 that are worth another look.The capacity expansion at ArcelorMittal Brasil's Monlevade unit will serve either the domestic or export markets with high-quality special steel products, chief executive officer Jefferson De Paula told Fastmarkets on November 11....Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday November 11 that are worth another look.The capacity expansion at ArcelorMittal Brasil's Monlevade unit will serve either the domestic or export markets with high-quality special steel products, chief executive officer Jefferson De Paula told Fastmarkets on November 11....Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday November 11 that are worth another look.The capacity expansion at ArcelorMittal Brasil's Monlevade unit will serve either the domestic or export markets with high-quality special steel products, chief executive officer Jefferson De Paula told Fastmarkets on November 11....Read More
The capacity expansion at ArcelorMittal Brasil's Monlevade unit will serve either the domestic or export markets with high-quality special steel products, chief executive officer Jefferson De Paula told Fastmarkets on Thursday November 11.In addition to steel cord, the plant makes special bar quality (SBQ) products, springs and other material, mainly focused on the automotive industry. Strong dema...Read More