Category: Raw Materials

Freight rates have remained high in the US and Northern Europe, and there has been little or no activity in the Mediterranean region since our last export update on March 10.

SA Recycling's CEO George Adams couldn't be more upbeat about American industry.

The pig iron market in the Brazil-to-US trade flow is showing strength as supply concerns and increased logistical costs impact recent sales negotiations.

The spread between domestic hot-rolled coil and prime scrap prices widened in March, marking a six-month trend.

This CRU insight demonstrates how the conflict in Middle East supports metallurgical coal prices and iron ore will be impacted by a potential decline in demand from China and rising costs, while the pellet market will be severely disrupted.

The US scrap market softened in March as most grades traded sideways, with prices seen falling next month, sources told SMU.

The state of the US export market for recycled ferrous scrap is in extreme flux due to events of the last 10 days.

Tenaris has closed on its buy of a Beaver Falls scrap processing yard in Pennsylvania.

Market participant comments from this month's SMU Ferrous Scrap Survey.

SMU’s Current Sentiment Index for scrap inched up in March, according to the latest data from our ferrous scrap survey. Meanwhile, the Future Sentiment Index remained locked at the same level for the fourth consecutive month.

Join SMU and AMU for a Community Chat on Wednesday, March 11, at 11 a.m. ET with George Adams, CEO of SA Recycling.

The US domestic ferrous scrap buying for March shipment is wrapping up this week, with many sources reporting a sideways outcome.

Crude-oil and natural-gas prices spiked, metals opened higher and some fertilizer benchmarks climbed after the US and Israel launched a “pre-emptive” strike on Iran, killing the supreme leader and plunging the region into chaos.

Graphite electrodes are critical to electric-arc furnace steelmaking and the production of other non-ferrous metals.

SMU has confirmed the US sale of 55,000 metric tons (mt) of pig iron at a price of $440/mt FOB South Brazil, according to an executive in the Brazilian trade.

The main discussions surrounding pig iron is the ruling by the US Supreme Courts that “reciprocal tariffs” are illegal.

The spread between domestic hot-rolled coil and prime scrap prices widened slightly in February. It has been trending in that direction since October.

The export scrap market from both North America and Europe has quieted down over the last week.

US ferrous scrap prices continued to rise in February, scrap sources told SMU.

SunCoke Energy is heading into 2026 with a smaller coke footprint, firmer margins, and a fully sold-out book. Contract shifts, market softness, and an alleged breach by a major customer are reshaping the company’s supply position.

US ferrous scrap prices rise in February.

Strategic Resources also discussed its project in Quebec, which will include a 4-million-ton/year DRI-quality iron ore pelletizer. It also plans to build a plant to produce DRI, then convert it to pig iron in an EAF.

There has been some recent activity of exports of basic pig iron from Brazil. Sources there agree on the activity but diverge on the pricing. What is new to the market in Brazil is the buying interest from the European Union, in particularly, Italy.

MagIron LLC is moving to advance its DR-grade pellet and pig iron strategy. The Minnesota-based company closed on its acquisition of AHMSA's Reynolds Pellet Plant in Indiana on Dec. 31.

Sims Ltd. said on Monday it has acquired the assets of Tri Coastal Trading (TCT), Houston, for $66.5 million in cash.

SMU’s Current Sentiment Index for scrap jumped again in February, according to the latest data from our ferrous scrap survey. And the Future Sentiment Index remained the same for the third consecutive month.

GrafTech International closed 2025 with firmer sales volumes and significant cost reductions. But the graphite electrode producer remained deep in the red as global oversupply and aggressive competitor pricing continued to pressure realized prices.

The US domestic scrap market is largely settled on February pricing. Despite poor weather conditions that have been wreaking havoc on scrap flows and deliveries to consumers, the pricing initially agreed between dealers and steelmakers has been fairly conservative.

U.S. Steel plans to restart Battery #13 at its Clairton Coke Works on Feb. 5. Battery #13 was one of the batteries hot idled since a lethal explosion at Clairton on Aug. 11, 2025.

Market participant comments from this month's SMU ferrous scrap survey.