Focus

• May 21, 2012 00:00 Cost and production cuts for stainless

  The global stainless steel market is growing at a slower rate than last year. Unexpected strength in the US market is supporting what growth there is, while Chinese and European markets have been hampered by oversupply, reports Myra Pinkham

• May 14, 2012 00:00 Stocks galore

  The zinc price has been defying its fundamentals for some time, and the number of new sources of supply that could start up makes predicting the metal’s future market balance a tough call, reports Steve Karpel

• May 7, 2012 00:00 Choices multiply

  Over the past twelve months, volumes of trade in many ferrous derivatives have grown and new products have launched. Richard Barrett and Steve Karpel review progress

• Apr 30, 2012 00:00 How to reduce risks of fraud

  Increased international trading in raw materials, steel and metals has also raised the risk of fraudulent activity. John Whittaker outlines some common factors and summarises key precautions to guard against warehouse fraud

• Apr 30, 2012 00:00 Getting steel to the customer

  More than ever, US steel suppliers are focusing on the optimal ways to reach their customers in a cost-efficient and timely way, but the state of the domestic transport infrastructure system remains a concern, reports Myra Pinkham

• Apr 23, 2012 00:00 The rare earth rush

  The dangers of restricted supply from China, along with rising prices, have produced a plethora of rare earth projects around the world. The most advanced are now coming on stream, reports Steve Karpel

• Apr 16, 2012 00:00 Take a taste of Tube and Wire

  The exhibition halls of Messe Düsseldorf in Germany became a showcase for all things tube and wire for the last week of March 2012. Richard Barrett captures the flavour of these major international biennial events

• Apr 9, 2012 00:00 Capacity growth in China beats demand

  Primary aluminium capacity is still growing in China, backed by local authorities, and focused on the lower-cost northwest region. Although demand may increase by 9% this year, primary output is expected to rise even more steeply

• Apr 2, 2012 00:00 Battery power

  There is little doubt that the battery market will increasingly dominate lead demand, for transport in particular. This will also continue to boost secondary metal supply, reports Steve Karpel

• Mar 26, 2012 00:00 Resourceful China

  China is importing more of the raw materials it needs for steelmaking, while various countries are starting to curb or raise the tax on exports of such basic resources. The struggle for raw materials is set to increase with economic growth, reports Steve Karpel

• Mar 19, 2012 00:00 A race for iron units

  In competitive and rapidly evolving markets, security of raw material supply has become a high priority for steelmakers worldwide. Metal Bulletin Research forecasts the changing geography of scrap and iron ore markets to 2020 to paint a global picture of relevance to all steel producers

• Mar 12, 2012 00:00 Copper stays tight

  A combination of diverse production setbacks and vigorous Chinese demand – especially for imported metal used for financing – have kept the copper market buoyant for the time being, reports Steve Karpel

• Mar 5, 2012 00:00 Hydro plays it long

  One year after Norway’s Norsk Hydro acquired most of Vale’s aluminium assets to turn itself into a fully integrated aluminium producer, Richard Barrett asks Johnny Undeli, executive vice-president, bauxite and alumina, about development of the assets

• Feb 27, 2012 00:00 Growth rate slows as capacity climbs

  With domestic demand slowing, growth in China’s steel output is expected to moderate this year. And as smaller steelmakers find ways to thwart government attempts to curtail overcapacity, exports look set to rise again this year

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