This year’s excellently-attended European Forest Products conference in Lisbon over March 3 – 5 rolled out in an environment of increasing regional regulation, erratic international tariff announcements from the US altering conditions in real time and the changing shape of the market through mergers and acquisitions. Smurfit Westrock shut out the CEO awards, with Tony […]

Fastmarkets has reduced the frequency of publication of its steel billet index export, fob Black Sea, CIS, due to lower market liquidity. The change follows a month-long consultation period with most feedback supporting the decision. The proposal was published on February 6 and the consultation ended on March 6. The new specifications are listed below, with the […]

Fastmarkets typically settles these markets on or before the 10th of the month, but will be delaying publication due to delays in settlements. The markets not settled by Monday include: To provide feedback on this notice, please contact Amy Hinton by email at pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading: “FAO: Amy Hinton, re: scrap prices.” Please […]

The tariff drama as President Trump enters his second term of office has occupied much of the energy of financial markets and business leaders. The 25% levies on all goods from Canada and Mexico implemented on March 4 are sending ripple effects throughout the entire forest products industry, given the level of industry integration and […]

Prices for recycled fiber-based containerboard in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) had some increases with few decreases in February and as a result Fastmarkets’ PIX indices for locally-produced testliner and fluting rose slightly on Tuesday March 4. While most of the prices reported to Fastmarkets were unchanged, some increases in Saudi Arabia and the United […]

The publication of Fastmarkets’ nickel sulfate, in-whs Rotterdam assessment for Friday March 7 was delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

Fastmarkets has corrected its MB-STE-0149 steel scrap heavy scrap domestic, delivered mill China, which was published incorrectly on Friday March 7.

The US-Ukraine mineral partnership deal has stalled due to security concerns, leaving future negotiations uncertain despite Ukraine's critical role in global mineral supplies. Meanwhile, President Trump has imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China and launched a copper import investigation to address national security risks and reduce reliance on foreign resources.

Trump’s steel tariffs aim to boost the US steel industry by taxing imported steel and encouraging domestic production. The goal is to make U.S. steel more competitive globally while addressing national security and trade concerns. However, the tariffs have caused international tension, reshaping trade ties and raising questions about costs for U.S. businesses relying on steel imports.

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