Metals Movers (Argus series within Argus Media feed) - Latest News and Information
The episode examines how the US‑Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a sharp supply shock for naphtha in Asia, inflating spreads, freight and war‑risk premiums while Europe and the US Gulf Coast remain buffered. Asian petrochemical producers are cutting cracker run rates and facing higher ethylene, propylene and polymer prices, with China’s growing cracker capacity offsetting some regional weakness but other Northeast Asian markets feeling the strain. The discussion then shifts to longer‑term market dynamics, noting that weakening petrochemical margins, competition from LPG and ethane, and shifting gasoline‑blending demand—especially in Europe—are reshaping naphtha’s role through 2025‑2026.
In this episode, Marcos Mortari and Lucas Boaquini, Business Development Manager at Argos Brazil Gas Markets, discuss the evolution of Brazil's natural gas market following a new legal framework that has increased competition and participation. They explain the emergence of...
In this episode, senior editor Mike Nash explains the rapidly growing sustainable and specialty fertilizers market, highlighting its high margins, lower volumes, and focus on nutrient‑use efficiency products such as water‑soluble fertilizers, inhibited urea, and micronutrient blends. He discusses the...
In this episode, host Hui‑Jin Yao and senior nitrogen reporter Denise Cheng examine China's rapidly expanding ammonium chloride (AC) market, highlighting a surge in domestic production tied to soda‑ash by‑product capacity and new projects both in China and Indonesia. They...
The episode explores how the global refining landscape has shifted, with rapid capacity growth in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa—especially China and India—while Europe and North America face widespread closures due to higher costs, stricter regulations, and declining demand....
The episode examines the immediate impact of the Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on global LPG markets, focusing on sharp price spikes in Asia's forward curve, especially the August Faris Index, which jumped 24%...
The episode examines the sharp rise in global tungsten prices, tracing it from China's export controls to a deeper, structural supply shortage caused by aging mines, limited investment, and reduced output. Experts explain how the squeeze affects both Chinese domestic...
In this episode Deepika Singh talks with Rajamani Krishnamurthy, President of the Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISDA), about the rapid expansion of India’s stainless‑steel sector and the structural challenges it faces. Krishnamurthy stresses that the biggest hurdle is the prevailing...
In this episode, Argus’s Sarah and VP of Business Development Alfonso introduce the new FOB Strait of Malacca price assessments for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in the Asia‑Pacific region. They explain why the assessments are...
In this episode, Argus's Way to Freight talks with Dr. Ibrahim Alnathiri, CEO of Asyad Shipping, about the company’s aggressive fleet renewal and expansion, including the recent purchase of three VLCCs and four other newbuilds. Alnathiri explains how a younger,...
In this episode, Argus Brazil editor Renata Cardarelli and fertilizer specialist Gisele Augusto review how Brazil and the Southern Cone fertilizer markets have evolved a month after the Fertilizer Latino-Americano (FLA) conference. They note a sharp slowdown in RIA deals,...
The episode examines the looming loss of Renewables Obligation (RO) support for UK waste‑wood biomass plants in 2027 and the resulting risk of a 3 million‑ton oversupply of waste wood. Richard Coulson of the Wood Recyclers Association explains how the sector...
The episode reviews South Korea's energy commodities market, noting a modest dip in thermal coal prices and major tenders favoring Indonesian, Australian, and Canadian supplies while limiting Russian and Chinese coal. It highlights the government's push to cap Russian coal...
In this episode, senior fuels consultant Roel Salazar and VP of Methanol & Derivatives Dave McCaskill review the first two months of 2026 methanol market headlines, focusing on price movements, supply dynamics, and demand shifts. They examine China’s methanol‑to‑olefins (MTO)...
The episode analyzes the unexpected surge in global gasoline demand and price spreads in late 2025, attributing it to tight refinery capacity in Asia and the Middle East and seasonal factors. It examines how rising EV adoption, evolving blending mandates,...
