The EU Steel industry could witness some changes that could strengthen its place in the global steel market. German steelmaker and longs producer Südwest Beteiligungen (SWB) recently announced plans to merge its production and rolling assets with those of the Van Merksteijn Group, headquartered in the Netherlands. It is a move that could have a […]
Category: Commodities
How the Steel Council Aims to Rebuild Britain’s Steel Industry
The UK government’s Department for Business and Trade has set up a committee called the Steel Council to secure long-term steelmaking in the country, where the steel industry continues to struggle. According to a January 7 statement from the ministerial department, the new council will provide advice on rebuilding the sector as well as its […]
Stainless MMI: Indonesia Looks to Support Nickel Prices
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways, retreating by a modest 2.64% from December to January. All of the index’s components trended lower, weighed down by bearish nickel prices throughout the month. Indonesia to Address Nickel Supply Glut Indonesia is currently eyeing substantial output cuts after nickel prices descended beneath the $15k/mt mark. High […]
Iron Ore’s Rocky Road: Weak Steel Demand and Ample Supply Pressure Prices
All available indicators at the start of 2025 show that iron ore prices will likely remain subdued in the new year. According to the latest data, the supply side will remain strong. However, steel demand does not look very good – at least for now. BMI, a research agency under Fitch Solutions, was quoted in […]
Raw Steels MMI: Nippon Acquisition of U.S. Steel Blocked, Bad News for Steel Buyers
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways with a slight downside bias, falling 1.49% from December to January. Meanwhile, the blocked sale of U.S. Steel could significantly affect steel prices in 2025. Biden Blocks Nippon-U.S. Steel Sale After the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) came to a split decision, the […]
Rare Earths MMI: The Trump Transition and What to Expect for U.S. Rare Earth Imports
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) displayed bearish sentiment as it entered 2025, dropping by 3.08%. Weak Chinese demand for metals across the board had at least some impact on the downward direction of the index month-over-month. Considering major changes are underway in the global rare earth industry, this created downward short-term price pressure. […]
Indonesian Firms Rush to Capitalize on Nickel
According to a Forbes report, the nickel business has become so lucrative that billionaire Kiki Barki, who built his fortune in coal mining, is now steering his Harum Energy toward nickel. Harum accelerated its nickel expansion this year through a series of strategic deals. Meanwhile, nickel prices ended 2024 below their 2023 close. Harum Makes […]
Renewables MMI: Q4 Battery Metal Results & Trump Administration Anticipated Market Shifts
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) dropped by 5.47% from December to January. Overall, renewable energy materials and battery metals experienced a somewhat bullish Q4. However, weak demand within China weighed heavily on metals like lithium and copper, and many market analysts expect the incoming Trump administration to place additional bearish sentiment on renewable energy […]
India Faces Steel Shock: Record Chinese Imports Threaten Domestic Producers
For India’s steel industry, what was feared is coming true. Initial government data shows that imports of finished steel from China hit a new record in the first eight months of the fiscal year ending March 2025. The news quickly sparked concerns among domestic steelmakers about the influx of cheaper Chinese shipments. India is the […]
EU Steel Crisis: Will Safeguards Save the Day?
In response to an ongoing crisis threatening the EU steel industry, the European Commission recently initiated a review of steel safeguards on imports. The move followed a request by 13 member states within the European Union. “The request is based on the challenging situation facing the EU steel sector, which has been exacerbated by an […]