New steelmakers in Southeast Asia are embracing hydrogen-based DRI, electric arc furnaces and renewable energy to advance green steel production and counter oversupply pressures, reshaping both market competition and raw material demand.

Steel’s future is being forged in a crucible of competing demands. As the global push for greener production gains momentum, today’s market continues to favor low-cost, lower-grade ores. This “iron ore paradox” puts producers, investors and policymakers at a pivotal intersection. While economic realities make lower-grade ores attractive now, the industry can’t ignore the drive to decarbonize steel production. 

The SGX 65% Fe iron ore futures contract reached record trading volumes as Chinese steelmakers sought high-grade ores amid tighter production restrictions. This surge underscores the growing role of premium-grade iron ore derivatives in global steel and raw materials markets.

Fastmarkets proposes to launch a new monthly price assessment for green petroleum coke, 1.5% S, in-whs ARA, $/tonne.

Steel prices in the US would be weaker if not artificially propped up by trade tariff pressures as underlying demand is depressed, several market participants told Fastmarkets on Friday August 8.

The rationale for MB-IRO-0009 iron ore 65% Fe Brazil-origin fines, cfr Qingdao index on Friday August 8 had erroneously omitted the judgment for carry-over step. The rationale entry has been corrected as follows: Fastmarkets’ index for iron ore 65% Fe Brazil-origin fines, CFR Qingdao fell by $0.08 per tonne from the previous day. The price movement was […]

The publication of the affected price was delayed for 29 minutes. The following assessment was published late: MB-ZN-0110 Zinc spot concentrate TC, cif China, $/per tonne This price is a part of the Fastmarkets Base Metals Physical Prices package. For more information or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of this price or if you […]

Fastmarkets proposes to launch magnesia, dead burned, 90% MgO, cif Europe, $/tonne and magnesia, dead burned, 97% MgO, cif Europe, $/tonne price assessments. Following preliminary discussions with the market, Fastmarkets received feedback that these grades of magnesium oxide have been increasingly used for producing refractory materials in Europe. The new launch would cover imports of […]

Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for its MB-STE-0028 daily steel HRC index, domestic, exw Northern Europe that was published incorrectly on Thursday August 7. The first paragraph was erroneously written as “Fastmarkets’ calculation of the daily steel HRC index, domestic, exw Northern Europe, was €576.25 ($661.17) per tonne on August 7 up by €4.17 from […]

Here are the key takeaways from market participants on US ferrous scrap metal prices, market confidence, inventory and more from our August survey.