Category: Raw Materials

Current and future scrap sentiment indices declined this month, according to SMU’s latest ferrous scrap survey data.

The ferrous scrap market for August appears to be settling sideways as the threats posed to the market in July have not materialized.

Prices for four of the seven steelmaking raw materials we track were unchanged from late June through the end of July, while two increased and one declined. Collectively, these material prices rose 1% month over month (m/m), but are down 3% compared to three months ago.

The ferrous scrap export market off the US East Coat and Gulf Coast has remained basically sideways over the last month. This mirrors the lack of movement in the US domestic market.

The Brazilian pig iron community is playing defense ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline for a 50% US tariff on imports from the South American country. The moves indicate the Brazilian producers do expect the tariff to go into effect.

Most market players are hedging their forecasts until the tariffs on imported raw materials are settled. Even then, some are positing the August market will trade sideways.

Divergent opinions emerge on August's scrap outlook.

Turkish scrap prices were unchanged week over week (w/w), with HMS and Shredded grades assessed at $340 and $355 per metric ton (mt) CFR, respectively.

President Trump's threatened tariffs on Brazil, USMCA partners, and Europe could shake up the scrap and pig iron markets in August.

The price spread between prime scrap and hot-rolled coil widened marginally again in July.

Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corp. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Radius Recycling.

The announcement of 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, including pig iron, could have a dramatic effect on steelmaking raw materials.

Ferrous scrap prices are flat in the US for a second consecutive month, but tariffs on imports of Brazilian pig iron could change the game in August.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would increase the “reciprocal” tariff on imports from Brazil to 50% effective Aug. 1. That could have big implications for pig iron.

The US ferrous scrap market settled sideways in July.

Ferrous scrap export activity has picked up steam.

Stronger steel demand in the Western US, rising scrap flows, and improved rolling mill utilization drove sequential gains for Portland, Ore.-based Radius Recycling.

Will more DRI investment come to the US?

Summer doldrums hit the US ferrous scrap market.

The resistance Brazilian pig iron sellers had shown to accepting lower prices has proved short-lived, sources told SMU.

Freight rates have risen $30-$50 on transatlantic cargoes, depending on the final destination.

Ferrous scrap sentiment picks up.

Scrap Management Industries (SMI) has purchased two recycling facilities in Kansas.

Despite high expectations, the export scrap market has not moved up.

The price spread between HRC and prime scrap widened in June.

Brazilian pig iron prices fail to rise after ferrous scrap market settle.

Ferrous scrap prices in the US have remained stable from May to June.

Both current and future scrap sentiment as measured by SMU’s Scrap Market Survey are little changed from last month. The relative stability might reflect June’s sideways settlement. Both measures remain below where they were earlier this year.

SMU’s ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “ferrous scrap survey” results. Past flat-rolled survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, […]

If we review the price trends for the last two years, we can see this year’s pattern following a similar path.