Global used cooking oil (UCO) prices were highly volatile throughout 2024 amid market uncertainty, trade flow and policy changes, with market sources expecting the prices to increase further in 2025, pushed up by higher demand and increased biofuel production obligations.

China issued its first national standard for black mass material used in lithium-ion battery recycling on the final day of 2024, with market participants expecting that it will provide clearer guidance on importing the material into the powerhouse country, Fastmarkets heard on Friday January 10.

In December, increased demand from various industries led to a 5-10% rise in EU animal fats prices, supported by high seasonal rendering activity and regulatory factors affecting vegetable oil supply.

Fastmarkets published its MB-STE-0232 Steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Friday January 10, 2025.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ arsenic 99% min As, in-whs Rotterdam, rhenium APR catalytic grade, in-whs dup Rotterdam, rhenium metal pellets 99.9% Re min, in-whs dup and hafnium, max 1% Zr, in-whs global locations, $/kg price assessments for Friday January 10, 2025 were delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

Reducing reliance on China’s hugely successful critical minerals supply chain dominance was never going to be easy, as some western mining companies are finding out the hard way.

Get the key takeaways from our recent webinar following the recent London Pulp Week, where we discussed the latest trends and predictions for the global pulp market.

The demand for high-grade iron ore in 2024 is expected to remain weak due to constrained steelmaking margins, oversupply, and high port inventories.

Access our expert analysis on the key factors impacting the softwood lumber market in the first quarter of 2025.

2025 global steel market preview: 10 key themes shaping steel and ferro-alloys, from growth to decarbonization and protectionism.