The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) seemed to find some stabilization after six months of dropping followed by a brief rebound in May. Overall, the index moved sideways, rising by just 2.11%. Meanwhile, prices for rare earth elements continue to pull in both directions due to a number of factors. Issues like ongoing supply […]
Category: Commodities
Liberty Steel’s $70 Million Hungarian EAF Project Raises Questions Amid Financial Strains
Steel manufacturing giant Liberty Steel recently signed a contract with Chinese engineering company CISDI, finalizing a feasibility study to build an electric arc furnace at the Dunaújváros plant in Hungary. Steel production estimates state that the facility would have an annual crude capacity of 1.5 million metric tonnes. According to a May 16 announcement by […]
India’s Steel Industry Under Stress: Chinese Imports Could Surge Amid U.S. Tariffs
India’s steel industry currently finds itself in a stressful predicament. Already reeling from cheap steel imports, the country is now even more worried about a surge of Chinese imports following the imposition of fresh tariffs on Chinese steel by U.S. President Joe Biden. Alongside the U.S., India and many other countries around the world have […]
Stock Market Soars as S&P 500 and NASDAQ Hit Record Highs
With the most recent economic data coming in hot for this month, overall financial markets presented optimistic signals. Amid futures tied to major stock indexes rallying to new highs, markets could see a significant impact on metal prices, including gold and copper prices. The S&P500 closed just over $528, and the NASDAQ composite index closed […]
GFG Alliance Explores Co-Investment and Divestment Options for Liberty’s Belgian, Luxembourg, and Italian Plants
Liberty Steel recently triggered a review of its downstream flat rolling assets in Western Europe. The firm’s parent company, GFG Alliance, said the potential steel industry shakeup stems from an expression of interest from several interested parties. “The review will evaluate Liberty’s assets in Liège (Belgium), Dudelange (Luxembourg), and Piombino (Italy) and will be facilitated […]
AngloAmerican Announces Divestment of Coal, Platinum, Nickel, and Diamonds to Focus on Core Businesses
AngloAmerican plans to divest several assets under its plans to simplify its portfolio, including coking coal. The move follows the company’s 2023 asset review, but also serves to rebuff a takeover takeover bid from Australia’s BHP. “Each asset was assessed for competitiveness and performance optimization potential and for its role in the portfolio,” AngloAmerican said […]
Renewables MMI: Problematic Dependence on China for Silicon and Solar Panels?
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continued its slight downward trend month-on-month, dropping by 3.8%. Two large components of the index, silicon and cobalt prices, continue to experience drops due to lingering renewable energy supply bottlenecks from 2023. This, along with falling grain-oriented electrical steel prices, brought the index down Silicon for Solar Panels: A […]
China’s Iron Ore Imports Projected to Hit Record High Amid Global Supply Shifts
If iron ore is in the news, can China be far behind? Contrary to earlier predictions, China may end up importing a record consignment of iron ore this year. With the global iron ore price fluctuating, this could have widespread ramifications. A recent Reuters report quoted market analysts as saying that China’s ore imports this […]
Liberty Steel Reviews Future of Scunthorpe Merchant Bar Plant
Steel manufacturing giant Liberty Steel recently began consultations with unions on mothballing its merchant bar producer, Liberty Merchant Bar (LMB), in Scunthorpe. “This decision comes after a thorough review of strategic options and the challenging external conditions, especially the lack of local feedstock supply that has affected the plant’s viability,” Liberty’s parent company, GFG Alliance, […]
Outokumpu Expects Sideways Stainless Market, Promotes the Necessity for Protectionism
Speaking at the Chicago chapter of the Association of Women in the Metals Industry’s (AWMI) most recent dinner, Outokumpu Business Area Americas CEO and President Tamara Weinert highlighted the many challenges facing domestic stainless producers. She also commented on the global stainless steel price, the company’s overall outlook, and its path toward a greener future. […]