Feedstock markets extended gains on Thursday February 26 as compliance optimism and stronger energy fundamentals continued to fuel buying interest.

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

European and US primary aluminium premiums could see further upside pressure on supply concerns following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit corridor for Middle Eastern aluminium exports and alumina imports.

Lithium hydroxide production outside China continues to encounter operational hurdles and softer downstream demand, slowing the pace at which new capacity can achieve stable commercial output.

Fastmarkets proposes to modify its black mass price assessments for NCM black mass in CIF South Korea, CIF Southeast Asia, EXW Europe and EXW USA to bring them into closer alignment with newly-adopted Chinese import standards.

Mariana Minerals is aiming to reduce US lithium production costs by roughly 20% using software to manage plant operations, the company’s chief executive officer told Fastmarkets.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ MB-STE-0464 - Steel scrap HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix) US material import, cfr main port Taiwan, $/tonne assessment for Thursday February 19 was delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

The US is being very creative not only in providing funding for projects but also in finding sustainable ways to develop a Western supply of rare earths, Aclara Resources chief executive officer Ramón Barúa Costa told Fastmarkets in an interview on Monday February 9.

When President Trump took office for a second time just over a year ago, he immediately sought to tear up the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a key piece of Joe Biden’s legacy. But plans announced earlier this week, ending on Friday February 6, have reshaped the future for cobalt and critical minerals.

Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Monday February 9, 2026.