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UCO prices reach two-year high in 2024, increases to continue in 2025 amid demand

Global used cooking oil (UCO) prices were highly volatile throughout 2024 amid market uncertainty, trade flow and policy changes, with market sources expecting the prices to increase further in 2025, pushed up by higher demand and increased biofuel production obligations.

January 14, 2025
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By Veronika Prykhodko

Insights
China’s first national standards for black mass could help open import market, sources say

China issued its first national standard for black mass material used in lithium-ion battery recycling on the final day of 2024, with market participants expecting that it will provide clearer guidance on importing the material into the powerhouse country, Fastmarkets heard on Friday January 10.

January 14, 2025
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By the Fastmarkets team

Insights
Decision to discontinue US Midwest ferrous scrap shred, heavy melt indices, busheling indicator

Fastmarkets will discontinue its calculations of the MB-STE-0423 steel scrap shredded, index, delivered Midwest mill, $/gross ton and the MB-STE-0424 steel scrap No1 heavy melt, index, delivered Midwest mill, $/gross ton, and its assessment of the MB-STE-0882 steel scrap No1 busheling, indicator, delivered Midwest mill, $/gross ton.

January 13, 2025
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By Sean Barry

Insights
Correction to cobalt standard grade, in-whs Rotterdam price assessment on January 13, 2025

Fastmarkets has corrected its MB-CO-0005 cobalt standard grade in-whs Rotterdam price assessment, which was published incorrectly on Monday January 13, 2025, due to a reporter error.

January 13, 2025
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By Sahil Shaw

Insights
Delayed publication of some historical sunoil, sunseed prices over January 2020-March 2022

The publication of Fastmarkets’ Ukrainian sunoil and sunmeal, and Russian sunoil assessments between January 2, 2020 and March 11, 2022 were delayed because of a technical issue.

January 13, 2025
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Insights
Continued uncertainty to drive volatility in EU animal fats market: 2025 preview

In December, increased demand from various industries led to a 5-10% rise in EU animal fats prices, supported by high seasonal rendering activity and regulatory factors affecting vegetable oil supply.

January 13, 2025
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By Veronika Prykhodko

Insights
Decision to discontinue China domestic wire rod prices: pricing notice

Fastmarkets’ decision follows a one-month consultation to discontinue its China domestic wire rod price because of small transaction volumes and because it is not a major price benchmark or key reference. The consultation received no feedback. The affected price is:MB-STE-0164 Steel wire rod (mesh quality) domestic, ex-whs Eastern China, yuan/tonneFastmarkets will keep its weekly price […]

January 13, 2025
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By Jessica Zong

Insights
Publication of Fastmarkets Steel scrap No1 busheling, delivered mill Chicago assessment on Friday, January 10

Fastmarkets published its MB-STE-0232 Steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Friday January 10, 2025.

January 10, 2025
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By Sean Barry

Insights
Delayed publication of arsenic, rhenium, hafnium price assessments

The publication of Fastmarkets’ arsenic 99% min As, in-whs Rotterdam, rhenium APR catalytic grade, in-whs dup Rotterdam, rhenium metal pellets 99.9% Re min, in-whs dup and hafnium, max 1% Zr, in-whs global locations, $/kg price assessments for Friday January 10, 2025 were delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

January 10, 2025
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By Solomon Cefai

Insights
Five key themes shaping the coking coal market in 2025 and beyond

Five factors shaping the coking coal market: China, India, geopolitics, and their global trade impact by 2025

January 10, 2025
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By Suresh Nair, Bella Cheng, Sam Li Xiaoyu, Jessie Li, the Fastmarkets team

Insights

Top stories across markets

The impact of tariffs on Freeport-McMoRan’s copper production and growth | Hotter Commodities

How tariffs, economic uncertainty and innovation are shaping the future of US copper production

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By: Andrea Hotter

Future of copper mining: addressing global demand with strategic alliances and sustainable innovations | Hotter Commodities

Read special correspondent Andrea Hotter’s coverage from CESCO Week 2025 and learn more about the growing demand for copper

April 11, 2025

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European pulp and paper industry weighs impact of US tariffs

The European pulp and paper (P&P) industry is struggling to assess the possible impact of tariffs. First, US President Donald Trump announced a 10% blanket tariff on all goods imported to the US. Additionally, he announced higher “reciprocal” tariffs with those he deemed worst offenders. This included a 20% tariff on EU goods. He later […]

April 11, 2025

By: the Fastmarkets team

Battery raw materials market update April 2025

Read Fastmarkets’ monthly battery raw materials market update for April 2025, focusing on raw materials including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and more

April 11, 2025

By: the Fastmarkets team

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