As US automotive OEMs localize supply chains and accelerate EV rollout, margin pressure is intensifying across steel, aluminium and battery inputs.

In this short episode of Fast Forward, Alex Kershaw, senior analyst for steel, raw materials and ferrous scrap at Fastmarkets, unpacks the recent volatility in global scrap steel markets and what is driving price movements across key regions.

As Brazil implemented protective measures against Chinese flat steel — enforcing anti-dumping duties on cold-rolled coil, coated steel, and pre-painted steel sequentially since early 2026 — China's monthly exports of finished steel to the country declined to their lowest levels since 2024, significantly reducing a market that previously consumed over 400,000 tonnes per month.

Despite mixed signals on box demand, significant capacity reductions and rising costs are enabling US containerboard producers to push for a second major price increase this year.

The following price was affected: MB-STE-0923 Flat steel reduced carbon emissions, daily inferred, exw China, yuan/tonne, scheduled for 5-6pm China Standard Time (Shanghai), was published at 9:13pm. This price is part of the Fastmarkets steel package. For more information or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of this price, or if you would like […]

The US company EVelution Energy outlined its plans to produce 3,000 tonnes per year of cobalt metal in the United States from Congolese hydroxide, speaking with Fastmarkets on Wednesday May 13 on the sidelines of the Cobalt Congress that took place in Madrid, Spain (May 12-13).

Fastmarkets wants to clarify that its holiday schedule for its Asian POME price assessments will follow the Singapore holiday calendar.

Based on preliminary market feedback, market participants noted that smaller-sized spot market transactions may be skewed and not reflective of the wider market. The aluminium P1020A(MJP), cif Japan, assessment specification which has a minimum tonnage of 100 tonnes will be amended to 500 tonnes after the proposed change. The proposed new specifications are as follows, […]

The publication of Fastmarkets’ MB-STE-0421 Steel scrap shredded, index, import, cfr Nhava Sheva, India was delayed because of a peer reviewer error. The Fastmarkets pricing database has been updated.

MB-AL-0020 Aluminium P1020A premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb was incorrectly published at 113-115 cents per lb. This has been corrected to 115.0-116.5 cents per lb. This price is a part of the Fastmarkets base metals package. For more information or to provide feedback on this correction notice or if you would like to provide price information […]