The domestic markets for hot-rolled coil across Europe were seasonally quiet on Thursday August 5, with prices holding stable, Fastmarkets heard.European buyers have replenished their HRC stocks and were largely holding back from trading while evaluating the market situation. Regular trading activity was expected to revive toward September, following the traditional market activity cycle in Europe...Read More
Turkish steel producers took a break from purchasing deep-sea scrap on Thursday August 5 after booking at least five cargoes earlier this week, market sources told Fastmarkets.The most recent deal was recorded on Wednesday August 4, when a steel mill in the Izmir region booked a US cargo comprising 15,000 tonnes of HMS 1&2 (80:20) at $464 per tonne, and 14,000 tonnes of shredded and 2,000 tonnes o...Read More
Cobalt hydroxide prices rose recently despite weakness in downstream salt prices in the domestic Chinese market, as ongoing disruptions and delays at port operations in South Africa have prompted sellers to keep their offers firm and take advantage of spot sales where buyers need prompt availability.Fastmarkets' assessment for the cobalt hydroxide payable indicator, min 30% Co, cif China was 88-92...Read More
China's mixed signals about its decarbonization goals have raised doubts over the country's purported plans to cut steel production in the second half of 2021, market sources said.The central Chinese government had asked steelmakers to reduce steel output in the second half for two reasons. The first is the short-term target of keeping the country's total steel output for this year from exceeding...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday August 5 that are worth another look.Brazil has joined other major commodity producers in South America, such as Chile and Peru, in a debate about whether to increase mining royalties because of soaring prices - and it can be...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday August 5 that are worth another look.Brazil has joined other major commodity producers in South America, such as Chile and Peru, in a debate about whether to increase mining royalties because of soaring prices - and it can be...Read More
Increased South African exports of semi-carbonate manganese ore are filling up inventories at Chinese ports, according to market sources.Fastmarkets assessed the manganese ore inventories at the main Chines ports of Tianjin and Qinzhou at 5.65-5.87 million tonnes on Monday August 2, up from 5.32-5.60 million tonnes a month earlier, but down from 6.35-6.46 million tonnes at the start of 2021.But th...Read More
The release of new regulations for anti-seismic management of construction projects in China, which is expected to stimulate demand for anti-seismic rebar, failed to shake domestic rebar prices on Thursday August 5.DomesticEastern China (Shanghai): 5,200-5,240 yuan ($804-811) per tonne, unchangedThe Chinese government published the regulations Wednesday and plans to implement them from September 1...Read More
Stahl-Holding-Saar (SHS) and its subsidiary, Saarstahl, have acquired the steel plants at Ascoval and Hayange in France from Liberty Steel, Saarstahl said on Thursday August 5.The acquisition has been formally validated by the French authorities, but the value of the deal was not disclosed."We are proud that our industrial concept for the takeover of Ascoval and Hayange has been validated and can...Read More
Benjamin Baptista will retire and leave his role as chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal's Brazilian unit on September 30 after 12 years, with current Latin America long steel CEO, Jefferson De Paula, to replace his role, Baptista said on Tuesday August 3.Baptista joined ArcelorMittal in 1983, when it was still called Companhia Sider??rgica de Tubar??o (CST). It was later bought by Arcelor, to...Read More
The prices of billet in the Turkish market have fallen in the past week because of the downturn in scrap values and soft demand, sources said on Thursday August 5.Turkish steel producers resumed their deep-sea scrap bookings on Tuesday August 3 after a short break, taking advantage of lower prices.Fastmarkets' index for steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), North Europe origin, cfr Turkey was calculat...Read More
Brazilian imports of primary unalloyed aluminium rose by 142% year on year in July, putting a newly approved duty-free quota extension under pressure, according to data published by the ministry economy on Wednesday August 4.The country imported 37,181 tonnes of primary aluminium in July, up significantly from 15,376 tonnes a year before.During the January-July period, imports totaled 26...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday August 5 that are worth another look.Brazil has joined other major commodity producers in South America, such as Chile and Peru, in a debate about whether to increase mining royalties because of soaring prices - and it can be...Read More
Brazilian aluminium association Abal has appointed a woman as executive president for the first time, with Janaina Donas taking over the role previously held by Milton Rego after a seven-month recruitment process, the group said on Thursday August 5.Donas most recently acted as an external relations and new business director for Latin America in Peru and the United States for US-based gold-copper-...Read More
The three month price of zinc outperformed the rest of the London Metal Exchange complex with a 1.8% rise on Thursday August 5 and most other prices advanced despite limited traded volumes. The metal rose to $3,028.50 per tonne on Thursday, its highest close since Monday, when it reached $3,050.50 per tonne. Top Canadian miner Teck Resources announced late on Wednesday that its Trail Ope...Read More
Iron ore prices decreased on Thursday August 5 with reduced market expectations of looser steel production restrictions in China, sources said.Fastmarkets iron ore indices 62% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao: $171.55 per tonne,down $12.14 per tonne62% Fe low-alumina fines, cfr Qingdao: $172.76 per tonne,down $11.63 per tonne58% Fe fines high-grade premium, cfr Qingdao: $136.28 per tonne,down $11.63 per tonn...Read More
Sentiment in Northern and Southern Europe's heavy plate market was negative in the week ended Wednesday August 4 due to lower slab costs and competitive offers from Central Europe, sources told Fastmarkets.Fastmarkets' price assessment for steel domestic plate, 8-40mm, exw Southern Europe, was ?,?950-960 ($1,126-1,138) per tonne on August 4, narrowing downward by ?,?10 from ?,?950-970 per ton...Read More
Seaborne coking coal stayed strong in both the fob and cfr markets on Thursday August 5, with limited tradable resources and high offers in both markets, sources said.Fastmarkets indicesPremium hard coking coal, fob DBCT: $216.79 per tonne, up $1.28 per tonnePremium hard coking coal, cfr Jingtang: $328.54 per tonne, up $1.05 per tonneHard coking coal, fob DBCT: $186.41 per tonne, up $1.50 per tonn...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday August 5 that are worth another look.Brazil has joined other major commodity producers in South America, such as Chile and Peru, in a debate about whether to increase mining royalties because of soaring prices - and it can be...Read More
Prices for export billet originating from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) softened in the week to August 5 due to multiple low bids from Turkish and Chinese customers.Earlier in the week, information about a 20,000 tonne shipment of 3sp Ukraine-origin billet sold to Libya at $690 per tonne cfr was heard. The price nets back to $645 per tonne fob Black Sea, the source said.According to...Read More