China's largest privately owned copper smelter, Dongying Fangyuan, has filed for bankruptcy, kicking off a debt-restructuring process, multiple sources claimed to Fastmarkets.

Increasingly higher bulk freight rates have resulted in deep-sea cargoes of ferrous scrap being offered at higher prices to Bangladesh in the past week, sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday August 20.

Many Chinese alumina buyers are currently steering clear of purchasing seaborne alumina due to persistent congestion at several Chinese ports, sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday August 19.

July imports of steel scrap to South Korea increased both on a month-on-month and year-on-year basis following another strong month in June, according to data from the Korea International Trade Association.

Domestic prices for steel rebar in Russia’s Central Federal District around Moscow narrowed upward by 2,000 roubles ($27) per tonne in the seven days to Monday August 16.

Domestic prices for hot-rolled coil declined in Northern Europe and Italy in the week ended Friday August 13 due to low demand during the summer holiday slowdown.

Fastmarkets has identified a necessary clarification to the nickel sulfate specification with regard to timing of loading.

Fastmarkets today launches two daily indices for cfr China ferrous scrap prices, reported on a US-dollar-per-tonne basis.

Fastmarkets proposes to increase the frequency of its China import steel billet price from once to twice each week because of continued price volatility in the market.

Aluminium premiums in Japan dropped by an average of $2.50 per tonne to $175-190 per tonne on Friday August 13, from $180-190 per tonne on August 10, with low buying interest weakening demand in recent weeks.