Category: Green

European Aluminum Industry Faces Existential Threats

European Aluminum Industry Faces Existential Threats EU and chipping containers

The European aluminum manufacturing industry is under attack from two short- and medium-term threats, both of which have the potential to significantly impact aluminum consumers across the region. Threat #1: Potential Russian Aluminum Ban, Aluminum Manufacturing Shortage The first threat is the widely debated possibility of the EU banning Russian aluminum. While the UK has […]

Renewables/GOES MMI: The “Dirty” Business of Disposing of Solar Panels

Renewables/GOES MMI: The “Dirty” Business of Disposing of Solar Panels Solar Panel Waste

Numerous factors continue to pull at the Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) as it moves through Q1. This past month, the index largely moved sideways, only exhibiting a slight upward movement of 1.66%. Meanwhile, renewable energy news indicated that metals like cobalt and silicon could remain in oversupply for some time. Moreover, expanding mining operations […]

Aluminum Market Projections for 2024: Stability Amidst Economic Uncertainty?

Aluminum Market Projections for 2024: Stability Amidst Economic Uncertainty?

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Hydro, a green aluminum producer with multiple plants and locations around the globe. Mike Stier, Hydro’s Vice President of Finance, and Duncan Pitchford, President of Hydro Aluminum Metals in the U.S. (whom I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing before), sat down to discuss Hydro’s views on aluminum performance […]

Will Electric Cars Benefit or Threaten Europe’s Aluminum Industry?

Will Electric Cars Benefit or Threaten Europe’s Aluminum Industry?

Are electric cars going to benefit or threaten Europe’s aluminum industry? At first, it might appear a stupid question. However, it is also one that aluminum industry news sources continue to ask. The average European EV contained 283kgs of aluminum in 2022 compared to 169kgs for ICE vehicles. That is according to a study by […]

Renewables/GOES MMI: U.S. Transformer Shortage Pain Continues into 2024

Renewables/GOES MMI: U.S. Transformer Shortage Pain Continues into 2024

The Renewables index began 2023 fairly sideways. However, it broke that trend in Q3 and Q4 when it edged downward. Numerous components of the index, including silicon and cobalt, experienced market oversupply. This caused prices to drop and pulled the index down with it. Grain oriented electrical steel also experienced market volatility in Q3 and […]

UK to Impose Carbon Tax for Steel and Aluminum Production

UK to Impose Carbon Tax for Steel and Aluminum Production

HM Treasury recently announced that the UK plans to enact a carbon tax on certain metals and natural resource imports into the country by 2027. The December 19 announcement said that steel, aluminum, and iron ore will be subject to the tax. This tax is currently known as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). “Goods […]

Green Aluminum Market: Insight From Hydro’s Duncan Pitchford

Green Aluminum Market: Insight From Hydro’s Duncan Pitchford

Aluminum supply remains a major topic of discussion among metal buyers. Traditional smelting and metal manufacturing remain the most widely used metal manufacturing methods worldwide. However, “green” metal initiatives have witnessed growth in recent years. Recently, I interviewed representatives from Norsk Hydro, a recycled and green aluminum company based out of Norway, to gain insight […]

Renewables/GOES MMI: Index Drops & Green Energy Faces Challenges

Renewables/GOES MMI: Index Drops & Green Energy Faces Challenges

The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) took a noticeable dive month-over-month, dropping by 10.41%. Indeed, neodymium, cobalt, and steel plate all suffered drops in price, making them the main culprits for the index falling. Meanwhile, the latest renewable energy news sources suggest green initiatives could be in for a rocky ride in 2024. This is […]

Construction MMI: Construction Spending Rises but Construction Index Falls

Construction MMI: Construction Spending Rises but Construction Index Falls Construction News

The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) strayed from its sideways trend to drop 6.84% month-over-month. A drop in European commercial aluminum 1050 sheet prices was the main culprit in the index’s decline. Construction news sources indicate with steel prices finally flattening out in recent weeks, the index could face further bearish pressure. Despite this, construction […]

Rare Earths MMI: Prices Move Sideways Amid Potential Rare Earth Magnets Trade War

Rare Earths MMI: Prices Move Sideways Amid Potential Rare Earth Magnets Trade War

The global rare earth magnets game continues to heat up. Indeed, China, the top global rare earths supplier, seems eager to tighten its hold on the marketplace, especially with trade tensions rising between the country and the West. Meanwhile, the U.S., Australia, and many other nations continue to look for homegrown solutions to rare earths […]

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