The publication of Fastmarkets' China, Japan, Korea battery grade lithium assessments for November 4, 2024, were delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

Asian steel hot-rolled coil prices have had difficulty rising in recent weeks due to a number of major themes in the market, sources told Fastmarkets.

The growth in Chinese shipments of batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) is far outstripping the growth in deliveries of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), sources told Fastmarkets in the week to Friday November 1.

Fastmarkets launched assessments for MB-FEM-0008 green ferroalloy domestic, ferro-manganese max 7% C, 65% Mn min, differential to FeMn assessment, in-whs China and MB-FEM-0009 green ferroalloy domestic, ferro-manganese max 7% C, 65% Mn min, weekly inferred price, in-whs China on Friday November 1.

Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessments for Polish long steel were published on Thursday October 31, one day ahead of schedule due to a public holiday in Poland on November 1.

Jinnan Iron & Steel Group is the latest company to join the push to expand China's steelmaking footprint in the Middle East and is working with Brazil's Vale to establish an iron ore concentration plant at the Sohar Port and Freezone in Oman, Fastmarkets understands.

China and India are ramping up electrical steel production through new joint ventures and acquisitions to meet rising global demand and sustainability goals.

A new Chinese state-owned enterprise (SOE) called China Resources Recycling Group (CRRG) has been established to build a national platform for recycling and reusing resources, according to an announcement from Chinese officials on October 18. While details of the company's specific plans remain scarce, market participants remain concerned about weak market fundamentals, sources told Fastmarkets..

Australian lithium producer Pilbara Minerals will be placing its Ngungaju plant on care and maintenance from December 2024, the company announced on Tuesday October 29.

Quarterly figures released by global miner Glencore on Wednesday October 30 showed that zinc concentrate output was dropping in a tight market while overall nickel output was down despite an increase in briquettes.