MORNING VIEW: Base metals prices mixed as agreement on US relief package may be delayed

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mainly lower this morning, Tuesday January 26, but those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were more mixed.

26 January 2021 William Adams

US lead supply to tighten after Clarios plant closure

The impending closure of a battery recycling center in the United States is putting pressure on an already tight refined lead market.

26 January 2021 Rijuta Dey Bera

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from January 25

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday January 25 that are worth another look.

26 January 2021 Fastmarkets MB staff

Sumitomo reports further $289 mln impairment for Ambatovy nickel-cobalt asset

Japan’s Sumitomo has written down a loss of 30 billion yen ($289 million) at its Ambatovy nickel-cobalt asset in Madagascar, in addition to the separate 55 billion yen ($530 million) impairment announced in the middle of last year, according to a company statement dated January 25, 2021.

25 January 2021 Hassan Butt, Michael Greenfield

LIVE FUTURES REPORT 25/01: Tin sets new 2021 high; aluminium rises despite 84,000t cancellation, rising dollar

Tin’s forward price reached a new year-to-date high on the London Metal Exchange on Monday January 25, while other prices were mixed despite a slight rise in the United States dollar index throughout the day.

25 January 2021 Ana de Liz

LME sets launch date for lithium futures contract settled against Fastmarkets price

The London Metal Exchange will launch its new cash-settled lithium futures contract on June 14, 2021, settled against Fastmarkets’ price assessment for lithium hydroxide monohydrate.

25 January 2021 Alice Mason, Dalila Ouerghi

China NPI price up on pre-holiday stockpiling; Fe-Ni market still in deep discount

The Chinese market price of nickel pig iron (NPI) rose in the week to Friday January 22 amid improved spot activity ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday (February 11-17), sources said.

25 January 2021 Sally Zhang

Aqua Metals in lead recycling partnership with BASF

Lead recycler Aqua Metals has partnered with German chemical company BASF to supply electrolyte, cooperate commercially, and explore technical improvements to enhance the performance of the US company’s lead recycling technology, AquaRefining.

25 January 2021 Andrea Hotter

Chinese copper buyers continue to switch to high-purity scrap

Chinese copper importers have continued to favor top quality copper scrap this month to avoid the rejection risk under a new import policy of birch/cliff cargoes, which are traditionally more popular in the country, market sources said.

25 January 2021 Julian Luk

European secondary aluminium ingot price retreats from five-year high on reduced Asian buying

The price range for secondary aluminium ingot across Europe declined by just over 2% at the midpoint on Friday January 22, the downturn coming after market participants reported a dip in purchasing appetite from Asian buyers ahead of China’s Lunar New Year holiday next month.

25 January 2021 Hassan Butt