PRICING NOTICE: Discontinuation of China cobalt sulfate, exw standard-grade adjustment

Fastmarkets has discontinued the calculation and publication of its MB-CO-0022 - China cobalt sulfate, Co 20.5% min, ex-works, adjustment to the low-grade cobalt low-end price.

The discontinuance of the China cobalt sulfate, exw standard-grade adjustment, which is calculated against Fastmarkets’ assessment of the all-in exw China cobalt sulfate price and the low end of the standard-grade cobalt price, follows a one-month consultation following its initial proposal.

Fastmarkets discovered that most market participants track its all-in exw China cobalt sulfate price and standard-grade cobalt price, and calculate the adjustment themselves by using either the same formula that Fastmarkets uses or a slightly different one.

Additionally, an increasing number of market participants are referring to Fastmarkets’ cobalt hydroxide payable indicator and standard-grade cobalt metal price to track the raw material prices for cobalt sulfate. Some cobalt hydroxide deals have also been linked to both assessments.

Historical data for the discontinued adjustment will remain available on the pricing section of the Fastmarkets website.

To provide feedback on this discontinuation, please contact Susan Zou by email at: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “FAO: Susan Zou re: discontinuation of cobalt sulfate adjustment.”

To see all of Fastmarkets’ pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/about-us/methodology.

What to read next
Fastmarkets launches MB-FEN-0008 nickel pig iron, high-grade NPI content 10-14%, cif China, yuan/nickel unit price on Friday August 15.
Fastmarkets proposes to launch a new monthly price assessment for green petroleum coke, 1.5% S, in-whs ARA, $/tonne.
The rationale for MB-IRO-0009 iron ore 65% Fe Brazil-origin fines, cfr Qingdao index on Friday August 8 had erroneously omitted the judgment for carry-over step. The rationale entry has been corrected as follows: Fastmarkets’ index for iron ore 65% Fe Brazil-origin fines, CFR Qingdao fell by $0.08 per tonne from the previous day. The price movement was […]
Fastmarkets has corrected its AG-CH-0054 Hides, branded cows, northern, $/piece, AG-CH-0056 Hides, branded cows, southwestern, $/piece, AG-CH-0050 Hides, heavy native cows, northern, $/piece, and AG-CH-0052 Hides, heavy native cows, southwestern, $/piece, which were published incorrectly on August 8, 2025. Fastmarkets has corrected the following prices: Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated to reflect this change. […]
Fastmarkets has corrected its US biodiesel SME and FAME fob New York Harbor and fob US Gulf, which were published incorrectly on Thursday August 7. Fastmarkets has corrected the prices for the following biodiesel assessments: EN-BD-0017 Biodiesel, SME, B100, flat price, fob US Gulf, $/gal was incorrectly published as $4.3388-4.5488 per gallon. This has been corrected […]
This reflects changing market dynamics with a preference from market participants for more visibility on a price for Laos-origin material while noting liquidity decline on an FOB Southern Turkey basis. The proposed price specifications will be as follows: Barite, drilling grade, unground lump, API, bulk, SG 4.10 fob Vietnam, $ per tonneQuality: API grade, SG 4.10 […]