Proposal to update US nickel scrap prices

Fastmarkets is proposing a comprehensive update of its nickel scrap prices to bring them in line with its global price reporting agency standards.

The planned update consists of a number of steps, including a proposal to consolidate the price assessments for nickel scrap in the United States.

Fastmarkets would publish a single delivered processor price range for each grade in the United States, rather than a price range for individual cities for the broker/processor buying prices. The price would be based off an assessment of the various inputs Fastmarkets receives. The name for these markets would also be changed to processor buying prices. The frequency of the market assessment would remain twice a month.

As part of this update to the broker/processor buying prices, Fastmarkets proposes discontinuing the following grades:

  • Nickel scrap solids
  • Nickel turnings scrap
  • Monel R-400 scrap solids and clips
  • Monel scrap turnings
  • Monel K-500 (castings) solids and clips
  • Invar Solids
  • 17-4PH solids: switched over into the stainless steel processor buying price list. 

Fastmarkets is also proposing to delist its current set of nickel scrap dealer buying prices due to a lack of liquidity.

Following the proposed update, Fastmarkets expects to initiate another consultation in 2023 on the potential launch of price assessments for additional grades of stainless steel scrap and nickel alloys.

A 30-day consultation period for this proposal begins on Monday September 19 and will end on Tuesday October 18. An update to this notice will be published on Wednesday October 19.

The following prices would be affected by the proposed changes:

Nickel scrap broker/processor buying prices:
Assessment: Inconel 600 Solids
Quality: Inconel is a registered trademark superalloy containing a minimum equal to or greater than 72% nickel. High temperature and extreme corrosion resistance applications. Nominal chemistry: Ni 76% Cr 15.5% Fe 8.0%
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: None

Assessment: 309 Stainless Steel Solids
Quality: This higher nickel grade stainless is used in many heat treat applications. The higher nickel and higher chromium values provide good resistance to higher temperatures. Nominal analysis: Ni 12 Cr 25 Fe Balance
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI Code: None
Industry marking: RA 309, HH

Assessment: 310 Stainless Steel Solids
Quality: The 310 stainless steel grade is a medium high nickel grade used in many heat treat applications with high temperatures and higher corrosion resistance qualities. Nominal analysis: Ni 20 Cr 25 Fe balance
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: None
Industry marking: RA 310, HK 40

Assessment: 330 Stainless Steel Solids
Quality: This grade is used extensively in the heat treat industry designed for high temperature applications. Nominal analysis: Ni 35% Cr 15% Fe Balance
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: None
Industry Marking: RA 330, HT

Assessment: Inconel 601 Solids
Quality: This alloy has high temperature strength, retains ductility, and has excellent corrosion resistance. Nominal analysis: Ni 60.5% Cr 23% Fe 14% Other Balance
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: None

Assessment: 17-4PH Solids
Quality: 17-4PH is a martensitic grade that is ductile and tough. Some common applications are golf clubs, firearms, pump parts, and chemical processing equipment.
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: None

The following grades would be discontinued:
Assessment: Nickel clips and solids
Quality: Common forms include new sheet, plate, bar, tube, and other miscellaneous solids. Free of foreign attachments and other contamination. Nominal chemistry: Ni 99% plus
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: Aroma (new nickel scrap) Burly (old nickel scrap)

Assessment: Nickel Turnings
Quality: Turnings and shavings from bar products. Nominal chemistry: Ni 99% on a dry basis after yield loss.
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: None
Assessment: R Monel Solids
Quality: R-405 Monel is a nickel-copper alloy and a free machining grade of Monel 400. Must be clean and free of all attachments and contamination. Nominal chemistry: Ni 66% Cu 31.5%
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: Hitch

Assessment: Monel Turnings
Quality: Mixed Monel turnings containing a minimum of 60% nickel content dry, on a yielded basis.
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: Lemur

Assessment: K Monel Solids
Quality: K Monel (K 500) has added strength and hardness with the addition of Aluminium and titanium. Applications include pump shafts, impellors, oil well parts, and pumps in marine service. Nominal chemistry: Ni 65% Cu 29.5%
Location: United Staes delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI code: Indian

Assessment: Invar Solids
Quality: Invar and Invar 36 is a nickel-iron alloy that retains good strength and toughness. Applications include laser components and production process is similar to austenitic stainless steel grades. Nominal analysis: Ni 36% Fe Balance
Location: United States delivered to destination
Unit: US cents per pound
Publication: Every two weeks
ISRI Code: None

To provide feedback on this proposal, or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to the nickel scrap assessments, please contact Sean Barry at pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading: “FAO: Sean Barry re: nickel scrap.”

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

What to read next
Fastmarkets has corrected its AG-UCO-0010 Used cooking oil, cif Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp price, which was published incorrectly on December 15.
The following prices were affected: MB-STE-0007 Steel hot-rolled coil domestic monthly, exw Brazil, reais/tonne MB-STE-0005 Steel cold-rolled coil domestic monthly, exw Brazil, reais/tonne MB-STE-0006 Steel hot-dipped galvanized coil domestic monthly, exw Brazil, reais/tonne MB-STE-0008 Steel reinforcing bar (rebar) domestic monthly, delivered Brazil, reais/tonne These prices are a part of the Fastmarkets steel package. For more information or to provide […]
Fastmarkets proposes to discontinue the following duplicate prices, which were previously assessed on a US timestamp and also assessed in Asia, to better reflect observed market liquidity and based on previously received market feedback. Fastmarkets assessed these markets in both the US and Asia following the acquisition and merger of The Jacobson and Palm Oil […]
Fastmarkets has proposed several changes to the methodologies for its suite of global palm and lauric oil methodologies to give more insight into how these prices are assessed. It is also clarifying the timing and monthly rolls of several assessments. Fastmarkets has observed growth and market interest in these prices and wishes to give more […]
Fastmarkets proposes to amend the pricing frequency of its copper grade A cathode premium, delivered Germany; copper grade A cathode premium, cif Leghorn; and copper EQ cathode premium, cif Europe to one a week from the current fortnightly basis, effective December 30.
The following prices were affected: MB-STE-0916 Green steel domestic, differential to US HRC, fob mill, $/short ton MB-STE-0917 Green steel base price, hot-rolled coil fob US mill, weekly inferred, $/short ton These prices are a part of the Fastmarkets steel package. For more information or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of this price or if […]