-
Welcome to the November-December 2020 issue of Metal Market Magazine, where we feature a focus section on battery raw materials, especially lithium and its latest industry developments.
Read More
-
In ever more environmentally conscious times, the recyclability of steel and aluminium packaging has come to the fore around the full circle of the supply chain, reports Gregory DL Morris
Read More
-
As part of a strategy to diversify its activities, the Germany-based international plant builder and engineering business SMS group is applying its technological expertise to processing ores and the means to recycle lithium batteries. Chief technology officer Hans Ferkel and senior vice president for strategic project development Herbert Weissenbaeck discuss the group’s plans and progress with Richard Barrett
Read More
-
When Fastmarkets held its major digital conference about lithium supply and markets in late October, its reporters captured highlights of the event. The supply chain from mining through to recycling, investments, market fundamentals, prices and price risk management were covered and here we bring together a summary of the key points
Read More
-
Alba CEO Ali Al Baqali worked long and hard to get the qualifications and experience he needed to lead the major aluminium producer in Bahrain. Andrea Hotter discusses his path to the top with him and the company’s strategy now in challenging global markets for primary aluminium producers
Read More
-
Trafigura’s revenue was $171.5 billion in 2019, with group businesses in metals, oil, power & renewables and shipping. Andrea Hotter talks strategy with the chief executive officer, Jeremy Weir
Read More
-
Global demand for magnesia has fallen significantly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with most magnesia prices falling to their lowest levels since before the market rally in 2017.
Read More
-
With government support for rare earths mining increasing, a growing number of miners – including mineral sands producers – now see value in a market that, for a long time, was effectively closed to non-Chinese producers due to its high costs and strict environmental regulations.
Read More
-
Price stabilization and inventory control are bearing fruit for titanium dioxide and mineral sand producers, even as Covid-19 rocks pigment markets.
Read More
-
Welcome to the October 2020 issue of Metal Market Magazine, where we delve into the markets of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and mineral sands, as well as rare earths and Chinese magnesia.
Read More
-
Welcome to the September 2020 issue of Metal Market Magazine, where we feature our usual annual insight into the refractories raw materials industry, including andalusite, bauxite, magnesia and fused alumina.
Read More
-
Refractory-grade bauxite prices have held firm due to tightening supply despite the uncertainties caused the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read More
-
Low capacity utilization at China’s kilns for production of brown fused alumina was weighing heavily on the markets, driven by weak demand for refractories.
Read More
-
The European magnesia markets have been very sluggish so far in 2020, with the Covid-19 pandemic striking while consumers were trying to cut back swollen inventories.
Read More
-
The andalusite market has been rocked by a drop in supplies following closures related to the Covid-19 pandemic in producing countries, and a subsequent adjustment in demand in some consuming markets. But sources believe that a new balance is in sight.
Read More
-
Welcome to the July-August 2020 issue of the Metal Market Magazine, where we look at supply and demand patterns for chromite and its foundry end uses, as well as an outlook for battery raw materials as automotive battles the coronavirus pandemic.
Read More
-
Battery raw material prices were on lows for the year in mid-July and spot battery-grade lithium prices were also at multi-year lows, writes William Adams, Fastmarkets head of research for base metals and battery materials.
Read More
-
Evolving market dynamics in foundry-grade chromite have reshaped trading patterns between South Africa and China, resulting in an almost silent market.
Read More
-
The Covid-19 pandemic has reversed a long-term fall in chromite prices while supply dried up, but weak demand could cap continued price rises.
Read More
-
Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, mining executives are being forced to take swift action and make tough decisions as prices fall, economies contract and demand in key consuming industries declines.
Read More
-
Battle tested, hard-nosed, and, at times, known to be very blunt, the top executive of the largest and oldest independent iron ore mining company in the US has been called many things in an almost 40-year career spent from one end of the steel supply chain to the other. Fearful is not one of them.
Read More
-
Steel mills and service centers expect a slow restart to auto making, reports Gregory DL Morris.
Read More
-
The global Covid-19 pandemic has plunged the oil market into an unprecedented slump, threatening a complete reshaping of the oilfield mineral market. One of the hardest hit industries is likely to be frac sand mining.
Read More
-
While China’s ports have resumed normal operations, markets for refractories are sluggish.
Read More
-
Welcome to the June 2020 issue of the Metal Market Magazine, where we analyze how oilfields minerals supply chains will change following Covid-19, and take a look at the restarting automotive industry.
Read More
-
As the global soda ash industry adjusts to shifts in market fundamentals, Laura Syrett considers the outlook for the mineral’s key sectors and emerging applications.
Read More
-
China’s domestic logistics are returning to normal, but overseas demand has been curbed by the Covid-19 virus.
Read More
-
Oilfield mineral markets have been rocked by negative oil prices.
Read More
-
After 12 years at the helm and two global crises, the president and chief executive officer of the American Iron and Steel Institute is setting sail to calmer seas.
Read More
-
Welcome to the May 2020 issue of the Metal Market Magazine, which features an in-depth update and outlook on soda ash, as well as Chinese logistics and faltering oil prices.
Read More
-
Striking the right balance between supply and demand for lithium has been difficult, given the still relatively nascent demand for electric vehicles and the time needed to ramp up lithium production.
Read More
-
A softening market for graphite flake in Europe, followed by oversupply and the impacts of the novel coronavirus have combined to subdue prices.
Read More
-
While synthetic graphite is set to retain its dominance for battery anodes, natural graphite is competing.
Read More
-
Weakness in the price of lithium shows no sign of easing in the near term, market participants tell Fastmarkets' lithium reporters.
Read More
-
Welcome to the April 2020 issue of the Metal Market Magazine, which features extensive updates on industrial mineral raw materials for the battery supply chain, lithium and graphite.
Read More
-
Welcome to the March 2020 issue of the Metal Market Magazine, which features extended and analytical content on energy trends and steel tube and pipe products.
Read More
-
Fluorspar’s sluggish global value chain could be boosted by the impact of coronavirus in China, reports Michael Greenfield.
Read More
-
Markets for oilfield minerals like frac sand and barite are being influenced by national policies and international trade, reports William Clarke.
Read More
-
Delays to exports of minerals from China are inevitable as a result of the nation’s battle to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. Davide Ghilotti and Carrie Shi made a mid-February assessment of the impacts.
Read More
-
The cover profile interviews published by Metal Market Magazine provide fascinating accounts of the journeys taken by today’s leaders in steel and metal businesses to reach their current roles, throughout the supply chain. In this annual review, we summarize their stories from the past year’s issues to highlight some of their key experiences and insights on leadership, management and strategy.
Read More
-
New LME chair Gay Huey Evans has a great depth of experience and wide range of interests. Andrea Hotter asks her what has driven her career and what priorities she has at the exchange.
Read More
-
Most provinces in China are still facing strict environmental restrictions during the winter months, with raw materials production and demand from the downstream sector affected to some degree, report Carrie Shi and Sybil Pan.
Read More
-
The market for fused alumina has been characterized by an increasing separation of brown fused (BFA) and white fused (WFA) alumina. As these factors strengthen, the decoupling is expected to drive these markets further apart in the near term, writes Davide Ghilotti
Read More
-
Weakening refractories business affected trade flows of Chinese bauxite to international customers, but the supply tightness in mining and processing acted as a counterbalance, reports Sybil Pan.
Read More
-
Welcome to the February 2020 issue of the Metal Market Magazine, which features an in-depth focus on metallurgical and non-metallurgical bauxite and alumina markets.
Read More
-
Welcome to your January 2020 issue of the Metal Market Magazine, which now incorporates Industrial Mineral Magazine content.
Read More
-
Pressure is continuing to mount on the refractories sector while its main market – the steel industry – suffers from overcapacity, trade tensions and emissions reduction targets, Rose Pengelly finds.
Read More
-
Suppliers debate whether calcined alumina can break the oversupply wall in a bearish 2020 scenario, writes Davide Ghilotti.
Read More
-
Overcapacity in China’s magnesia sector and shrinking international demand have roiled the domestic market this year, dragging prices to a two-year low and prompting producers to lower output, reports Carrie Shi.
Read More
-
Alexander Shevelev, CEO of Russian steelmaker Severstal, says that the company has changed its culture quite quickly and substantially to focus on being a solutions provider. Richard Barrett asked him to explain that mission and to recall his path from the shop floor to the top of a company that employs 50,000 people
Read More