Metal Movers: Minor Metals in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
The episode explores how minor metals such as gallium, germanium, indium, and tantalum are critical to the hardware that powers AI data centers, highlighting their roles in energy‑efficient power electronics, fiber‑optic connectivity, and high‑performance capacitors. Analysts Christina Belder and Sean Morris explain that soaring demand, driven by AI workloads, has pushed prices sharply higher—gallium up to about $2,500 per kilogram and germanium prices up over 200%—while export controls from China have tightened supply chains. They discuss emerging projects in Europe, the U.S., and elsewhere aimed at diversifying production and boosting recycling, but note that supply remains inelastic and geopolitically sensitive. The guests conclude that coordinated government‑industry action and increased recycling will be essential to meet AI‑driven metal demand.
Metal Movers: Nickel and Aluminium Markets Shaped by Indonesia Policies and Global Disruptions
The episode examines how Indonesia’s policy shifts and geopolitical tensions are reshaping global nickel and aluminium markets. A sharp cut in Indonesia’s nickel mining quota and reduced output at the Reda Bay mine have tightened supply, pushing nickel prices to...
Virginia Is for RGGI Lovers | Argus Media
In this Argus Media podcast, Michael Ball and RGGI reporter Ida Balakashina discuss Virginia’s unexpected re‑entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) on July 1, which has sparked a historic rally in RGGI allowance prices, with December 2026 futures soaring from...
Base Oils in Focus as Diesel Margins Dominate
The episode examines how the European diesel market’s tight supply and elevated margins are influencing the often‑overlooked base‑oil sector. Reporter Josh Michalovsky outlines Europe’s structural diesel deficit, the impact of the U.S.–Iran conflict, reduced Russian imports, and the resulting high...
Weight of Freight: US–Iran Conflict Reshapes Tanker Markets
The episode examines how the US‑Iran conflict, which began on February 28, has upended global tanker markets, driving freight rates on key Middle East routes up by 170‑200% and causing sharp spikes in clean‑tanker rates across Asia. Reporters Sean Louis...
Fertilizer Matters EP54: Middle East Conflict – Fertilizer Demand Destruction
In this episode, the Argus Fertilizer Matters team examines how the Middle East conflict is causing "fertilizer demand destruction"—a permanent reduction in fertilizer use as prices soar and supply chains falter. Editors from Europe, North America, and Brazil explain that...
Fertilizer Matters EP53: Middle East Conflict – Impact on Australia’s Phosphate Market
In this episode, Argus Media’s Tom Hampson and Sydney‑based reporter Susanna Cornford examine Australia’s phosphate market amid the Middle East conflict. They outline the country’s reliance on imported MAP and DAP—primarily from Saudi Arabia, Morocco and China—and detail how the...
Driving Discussions: Summer 2026 Outlook - War Driven Tightness in U.S. Gasoline Markets
In this episode, Jared Ainsworth and Argus associate editor Stephanie Crawford examine how the U.S.-Iran war has rapidly tightened U.S. gasoline supplies ahead of the summer driving season. They note that inventories, which were unusually high in February, have fallen...
Fertilizer Matters EP52: China’s Potash Market
In this episode, analyst Johanna Jing explains that China settled its 2026 standard MOP (potash) contract at $348 per ton CFR, the earliest settlement on record, and that domestic prices remain firm despite the post‑peak season. She highlights China’s reliance...
Global LPG Conversations: US Butane Flows Surge to Meet Asia’s Demand
In this episode of Global LPG Conversations, Anu Agarbal and LPG North America editor Amy Schrehan examine the surge in U.S. butane exports driven by price spikes in Asia after the Iran‑related Hormuz blockade. They explain how U.S. shale gas...
Base Oils Disrupted: War-Driven Supply Tightness
The episode examines how the US‑Iran war has tightened global base‑oil supplies, especially Group 3 output from the Middle East, where the Strait of Hormuz closure and damage to Qatar’s Pearl GTL plant have cut capacity. Analysts note that while Group 1...
Fertilizer Matters EP51: North American Fertilizers - To Re-Export or Not Re-Export
In this episode, Taylor Zavala and host Calder discuss how the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have driven North American fertilizer markets to unprecedented conditions, prompting traders to re‑export imported phosphate and urea...
Power Dispatch: Storage Wars - Batteries, Dams and Why We Need Both
The episode examines Europe’s rapid push for grid flexibility through both battery storage and pumped hydro, highlighting successes in Italy’s "Maxi" auction, the UK’s capacity‑market revenue stacking, and Bulgaria’s surge in large‑scale batteries. Panelists discuss regulatory hurdles that have slowed...
Metal Movers: China Flat Steel Outlook Shaped by Exports, Costs and Risk
In this episode, Argus senior analyst Annie Wang breaks down why Chinese flat steel and export prices surged in early May, citing post‑holiday restocking, production cuts, rising raw‑material costs (coke, iron ore, energy) and a weaker regional price gap. She...
Metal Movers: The Global Aluminium Supply Squeeze
The episode examines the tightening global aluminium market caused by the Israel‑Iran conflict, highlighting how European buyers now prioritize supply security over sustainability, with LME stocks at historic lows and contracts in backwardation. In the U.S., concerns mirror Europe as...