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    • Correction to ilmenite, rutile price assessments on February 5
      These fortnightly prices were published on February 5 and have now been cancelled. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated to reflect the changes. The next publication will be on February 12, when the market will be assessed as normal. The following prices were published early: MB-ILM-0004 ilmenite concentrate, 47-49% TiO2, cif China, $ per tonne MB-RUT-0002 rutile […]
      February 12, 2026
       · 
      By Fastmarkets pricing team
      Insights
    • Cobalt up close as mineral
      Trafigura, Mercuria receive copper, cobalt from DRC’s artisanal supplier
      The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) state-controlled Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) announced its first copper and cobalt shipments to Swiss traders Trafigura and Mercuria on Monday February 9, with Trafigura using the Lobito Corridor to transport commodities.
      February 12, 2026
       · 
      By Sofia Okun, Julienne Raboca
      Insights
    • Boxboard market, Cardboard, Carton
      US food rules may flip the long-term script, Latin American packaging bracing for impact
      Latin America containerboard demand holds as GLP‑1 and US nutrition guidelines slow boxboard in 2026—what it means for the packaging market.
      February 12, 2026
       · 
      By Rafael Barisauskas
      Insights
    • Decision to remove synthetic histories for European cartonboard, US kraft paper assessments
      Synthetic date histories from January 2012 to December 2020 will be removed from the following price series: FP-CBB-0094 Cartonboard/boxboard, folding boxboard (GC2) 270-280 g, free delivered United Kingdom, £ per tonne FP-CBB-0098 Cartonboard/boxboard, folding boxboard (GC2) 270-280 g, free delivered France, € per tonne FP-CBB-0099 Cartonboard/boxboard, white-lined chipboard (GD2) 300 g, free delivered France, € per tonne FP-CBB-0100 Cartonboard/boxboard, […]
      February 11, 2026
       · 
      By Fastmarkets pricing team
      Insights
    • DRC cobalt export ban
      From Kinshasa to Kansas: US lays out its plan to reshape cobalt supply chains
      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.
      February 11, 2026
       · 
      By Alexander Cook
      Insights
    • India’s battery supply chain: Building a sustainable future
      The build-out of the Indian battery and critical mineral supply chain requires an integrated approach in terms of government policy, investment and subsidies and technology, market participants said during the inaugural Fastmarkets India Battery & Critical Minerals conference in New Delhi, India, over February 2-3.
      February 11, 2026
       · 
      By Viral Shah
      Insights
    • Storm clouds over Penang, Malaysia
      What does Malaysia’s complete ban on e-waste imports mean for battery, aluminium, copper recyclers?
      Malaysia implemented an absolute ban on imports of electronic waste (e-waste) to take immediate effect on Wednesday February 4, in an attempt to tighten environmental controls and curb illegal shipments, Fastmarkets understands.
      February 11, 2026
       · 
      By Tianran Zhao, Carman Chew
      Insights
    • Amendment of specifications for UAE steel scrap indices
      The consultation began on November 25, 2025, was extended on January 6 this year and ended on February 6. It sought feedback from a range of market participants on the location of delivery, material density and payment terms. Based on market feedback received during the consultation, Fastmarkets has decided to amend the delivery location to delivered consumer […]
      February 10, 2026
       · 
      By Fastmarkets pricing team
      Insights
    • Extension of India soybean oil, sunflower oil consultation
      The consultation, which was originally open until February 6, sought to address growing market interest in these prices, to give more visibility into the price formation process and to more closely align these assessments with observed trading patterns. Specifically, Fastmarkets is seeking further feedback on: Extended consultation periodThe extended consultation period for these proposed changes starts […]
      February 10, 2026
       · 
      By Fastmarkets pricing team
      Insights
    • A furnace operator responsible for managing, monitoring, and controlling furnaces in manufacturing, smelting, and refining processes.
      What the Rio Tinto-Glencore breakup really tells us: Hotter Commodities
      For a brief moment, the mining sector allowed itself to consider a bold idea: Rio Tinto and Glencore in merger discussions.
      February 10, 2026
       · 
      By Andrea Hotter
      Insights
    Top stories across markets
    Computer, Electronics, Laptop
    Global overcapacity is transforming the food and beverage packaging market | Chart of the month

    Discover how the food and beverage market is being transformed by global overcapacity in this month’s featured data-led insight from the Fastmarkets team

    February 27, 2026
    Paper packaging, Bag, Cup, Disposable Cup
    Winning in food and beverage packaging: 3 essential market takeaways

    Explore how trends, supply shifts and consolidation are transforming the food and beverage packaging market. Leverage independent data for a clearer packaging market outlook and confident procurement decisions.

    February 27, 2026
     · 
    By: the Fastmarkets team
    Policy backing fuels Europe’s next wave of low-emission steel capacity
    Policy backing fuels Europe’s next wave of low-emission steel capacity 

    Low-emission steelmaking capacity in Europe is currently constrained amid challenging market conditions. However, recent regulatory developments have strengthened supplier confidence, helping to unlock next phase of investments.

    February 27, 2026
     · 
    By: Abhishek Pathak
    Lithium mine Nevada, California
    Ex-China lithium hydroxide production ramp-ups face delays on weaker demand

    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.

    February 26, 2026
     · 
    By: Xiaoying Du
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