The willingness among steel consumers to pay premiums for ‘green’ products was not enough to offset the extra cost of the technology transition in the short term, according to Dr Karel Eloot, senior partner in the global materials insights department of management consultant McKinsey & Co.

As regulations evolve and sustainability concerns grow, Dr Jan-Philipp Mai of JPM Silicon explores the potential future of solar panel recycling and its implications for silicon markets in Asia and Europe.

Market participants are converging on Bali in Indonesia for the Fastmarkets International Critical Minerals & Metals Summit (ICMMS) on September 5 and 6, so ahead of the event, we capture the main themes facing the global nickel market.

Fastmarkets launched a new alumina index for Indonesian material on Monday September 2 ahead of the International Critical Minerals and Mining Summit to be held in Bali later this week.

China’s lithium carbonate prices fell in the week to Thursday August 29, amid volatility in futures prices. Hydroxide prices also softened on the back of muted spot demand.

As the country moves to make the quota tariff against steel imports work, concerns are growing within the Brazilian steel industry over a potential surge in imports of finished steel products, particularly fastening materials such as screws, nails, bolts and wires, which could impact the entire supply chain, sources have told Fastmarkets.

The slowdown in animal fats demand was caused by various reasons, including the oversupply of feedstocks, cheap biofuels tickets and negative production margins, sources told Fastmarkets Wednesday.

Northvolt will shift development of its lithium-metal battery technology from California to Northvolt Labs, its research and development campus in Sweden, to consolidate its cell product portfolio, promote cross-innovation and enable cost efficiencies, according to the Swedish battery maker

China’s nickel sulfate prices have been consolidating within the range of 26,000-27,500 yuan ($3,653-3,863) per tonne in the past few weeks, with no signs of a clear direction, sources told Fastmarkets.

California could soon enact legislation that would make electric vehicle (EV) battery producers responsible for ensuring end-of-life management and recycling of their batteries after Senate Bill (SB) 615 was approved by the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, clearing the way for a floor vote.