Category: Manufacturing

China’s Relentless Pursuit of Lithium Battery Materials: A Growing Powerhouse

China’s Relentless Pursuit of Lithium Battery Materials: A Growing Powerhouse ewtrewtret

It seems that China’s hunger for lithium remains unsatiated. Indeed, a new S&P Global report highlighted the “red dragon’s” efforts to gobble up critical minerals, including lithium battery elements, from mines across the globe.  The report explained how China’s reach continues to grow in terms of minerals, particularly those critical to products that have major […]

Shake Up for Aluminum Prices? China’s Surge into Indonesia Sparks Market Shifts

Shake Up for Aluminum Prices? China’s Surge into Indonesia Sparks Market Shifts Deforestation: Excavators destroy rainforest to make way for oil

It’s called the “nickel model,” and China hopes to duplicate it for its aluminum industry. Indeed, after more than 20 years of fast growth, China’s aluminum sector recently reached its domestic capacity limit. The government imposed this ceiling on new smelter construction to cut down on pollution and energy consumption. Now, the policy spur significant […]

China’s Imports of Refined Copper Hit Four-Year Low

China’s Imports of Refined Copper Hit Four-Year Low Screenshot-2023-08-17-at-1.40.53-PM

In the first half of 2023, China’s intake of refined copper saw the biggest drop in four years. The news underscores the current deceleration of the nation’s manufacturing sphere. China is one of the world’s largest buyers of refined copper. Still, it seems the country’s appetite for imports is waning. According to a report by […]

Glencore’s Bid for Teck Resources Sparks Environmental Concerns

Glencore’s Bid for Teck Resources Sparks Environmental Concerns Stuttgart, Germany - 01-28-2022: Mobile phone with website of co

Glencore continues to express interest in a tie-up with base metals producer Teck Resources. Recently, the multinational commodity trader and mining company proposed steps to address the Canadian firm’s concerns over carbon exposure as a result of any merger. The main source of contention for the deal is Teck’s coking coal operation. “Glencore is fully […]

Construction MMI: Chinese Manufacturing Still Slumping, Impacting U.S. Construction

Construction MMI: Chinese Manufacturing Still Slumping, Impacting U.S. Construction excavator in construction site on sunset sky background

The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continues to experience pressure from both sides amid conflicting global construction news. For instance, U.S. scrap steel prices recently dropped due to more vehicles being manufactured (car manufacturing always produces ample scrap). However, Chinese steel product prices went up at the same time. Ultimately, metal markets witnessed more movement […]

Chinese Exports, Steel Prices Trigger Crisis for Indian Producers

Chinese Exports, Steel Prices Trigger Crisis for Indian Producers steel prices china and india

India may be the world’s second-largest steel producer, yet it continues to grapple with reliance on steel imports. In the last few months, China has emerged as a major steel exporter to India, leading to protests from India’s domestic sector. Indeed, India’s June 2023 steel imports rose by 5.9% month-on-month and 7.6% year-on-year. Alongside China, the country also […]

Ukraine’s Ferrexpo Sees Production Boost, Potentially Impacting Iron Ore Prices

Ukraine’s Ferrexpo Sees Production Boost, Potentially Impacting Iron Ore Prices defdew

Ukrainian iron ore producer Ferrexpo recently reported a 59% increase in its commercial production for H1. This figure, derived by comparing current numbers to the previous six months, has the potential to significantly impact global iron ore prices. Indeed, the total production of pellets and commercial concentrate for the first six months of 2023 came […]

Ukraine’s Metinvest to Build Steel Plant in Italy

Ukraine’s Metinvest to Build Steel Plant in Italy xvsdbf

Ukraine’s Metinvest plans to build a new steel manufacturing facility in Italy. Indeed, an official for the group recently confirmed reports of plans to build a plant in either that country or Bulgaria. “Many people talked about the fact that we are considering the possibility of building a new plant in Italy. Indeed, this is the […]

Demand for Copper Tempered by Innovations in the EV Market

Demand for Copper Tempered by Innovations in the EV Market fsg

Two firms, Goldman Sachs & Consultancy CRU Group, recently revised their forecasts for copper usage in electric vehicles (EVs). Indeed CRU Group now predicts that the average EV will use between 51-56 kilograms of copper from this year to 2030. This is a significant decrease from their previous estimate of 65-66 kilograms. Similarly, Goldman Sachs predicts […]

Liberty Steel Victorious, Acquires Hungary’s Dunaferr for $61 Million

Liberty Steel Victorious, Acquires Hungary’s Dunaferr for $61 Million steel production in electric furnaces

Liberty Steel recently won a bid to take over Hungary’s Dunaferr. According to Hungary’s Ministry of Economic Development, a local court put the integrated flats producer into liquidation in late 2022. Liberty will pay €55 million ($61 million) for the Dunaferr plant, beating out India’s Vulcan Steel, Ukrainian group Metinvest, Swiss-based Trasteel Trading, and local […]

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