China-origin refractory-grade bauxite prices have increased for the second time this year as the government ramped up efforts to reduce pollution. Only a tiny minority of plants is still allowed to operate following the environmental inspections, and traders are struggling to find material to fulfil contracts. Near-complete shutdown of Chinese refractory-grade bauxite production has lifted …

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In 2016, the aluminium industry performed well and exceeded industry predictions. Even during Q4, the industry’s low season, the price of aluminium has remained strong. New transportation policies banning overloaded long-haul transport resulted in a low inventory in China’s physical market, as metal has been log-jammed at shipping points. This played a major role in …

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An unexpected decline in Germany’s powerhouse industrial sector dragged industrial output in the eurozone back into decline in September, but the fall was not as severe as economists had expected.   Industrial output excluding construction declined by 0.8 per cent over the month, but was 1.2 per cent higher than the same month a year …

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Magnesia prices in China decreased substantially at the start of January as the market adjusted following the cancellation of the export quota system in end-2016…   More information, download .PDF

Suppliers of chromite have been busy as both foundry and chemical grade material posted price upticks right up to Christmas, while buyers hope the market will slow down in 2017. The chromite market closed 2016 at fresh highs, as spot prices for both chemical grade and foundry grade material edged up further during the final …

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