The US prime steel scrap contracts market is undergoing a major reset as mills and suppliers renegotiate terms amid falling prices and shifting leverage. Oversupply and waning premiums are reshaping how future scrap deals are structured across North America.

As global smelting margins weaken, a quiet revival is taking shape in the United States as new copper smelting and refining projects gather momentum. Policy shifts, strategic incentives and the push for industrial resilience are driving investment that could close America’s long-standing processing gap and reshape its role in the global copper market.

Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on the pricing methodologies for North America Timber and Biomass Markets which include Log Lines and Woodfiber & Biomass Markets as part of its announced annual methodology review process.

Fastmarkets has launched AG-TLW-0041 tallow, max 5% ffa, fob Argentina, $/tonne on October 30.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ MB-ALU-0002 alumina index, fob Australia assessment for Thursday October 30 was delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

Fastmarkets launches AG-MBM-0024 meat and bone meal, bovine, 40-45 pro, cif São Paulo, with tax, Real per kg and AG-MBM-0025 Meat and bone meal, bovine, min 50 pro, fob S/SE ports Brazil, $ per tonne on October 30.

Explore how China’s 15th Five-Year Plan drives base metals demand in advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.

Fastmarkets proposes to launch new assessments of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) and bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) pulp spot prices for Europe, starting in January 2026.

The ongoing US government shutdown is reshaping the steel industry as stalled federal projects, delayed contracts and budget uncertainty ripple through domestic supply chains. With infrastructure spending on hold, producers are confronting weaker demand and rising pressure across the broader manufacturing sector.

Harena Resources is staking a claim in Madagascar’s rare earths sector, intending to supply the US amid rising global demand and the continued dominance of Chinese producers, the company’s chairman has told Fastmarkets.