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    Prices

    February 24, 2021

    Raw Materials Prices: Iron Ore, Coking Coal, Pig Iron, Scrap, Zinc

    Written by Brett Linton

    Among steelmaking raw materials, the prices of iron ore, pig iron and steel scrap moderated through February following large gains seen in previous months. Prices declined as much as 16% month-over-month for those three products, but remain 34-57% higher compared to three months prior and as much as 87% higher than levels one year ago. Coking coal prices increased 21% over one month prior, up 42% from November, yet down 6% from prices one year ago. Both zinc and aluminum prices remain strong compared to recent years, with zinc prices nearing a 21-month high and aluminum prices approaching levels not seen since mid-2018.

    Table 1 summarizes the price changes of the seven materials considered in this analysis. It reports the month/month, three months/three months and year/year changes as a percentage.

    Brett Linton

    Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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