Metals
Overview
The global metals markets are evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting supply chains, rising demand for critical minerals, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasing price volatility across ferrous, non‑ferrous and emerging technology metals. Argus provides independent metals pricing, trusted benchmarks and actionable market intelligence that give mining companies, metal producers, traders, manufacturers and recyclers the clarity and confidence they need to navigate increasing cost exposure, manage risks and make data-driven decisions.
Covering the steel supply chain, base metals, critical metals including rare earths, scrap, ferroalloys, raw materials and energy‑transition metals, Argus delivers accurate, reliable price assessments that reflect real market activity. Companies worldwide reference Argus metals benchmarks in physical and financial contracts to ensure fair, consistent and market‑aligned pricing, a crucial advantage in regions where regulatory environments, trade flows and cost structures vary dramatically.
With expert analysis, regional metals prices, market reporting, and fundamentals data, Argus helps users track market sentiment, identify key metals price drivers and stay informed on developments across ferrous, non‑ferrous and critical minerals markets, supported by localized coverage in the most active trading regions. This includes rapid shifts driven by developments in emerging supply chains, logistics constraints, shifting demand conditions, energy and input‑cost volatility, and China’s dominant role in global metals supply and demand, where changes in production, export policy, or refining capacity can quickly move global metals prices, availability and trade flows.
Argus empowers stakeholders across steel, raw materials, non‑ferrous and critical metals markets with reliable data, clear insights and a deeper understanding of global metals‑market dynamics, helping businesses remain competitive, agile and prepared for what’s next.
Market Coverage
Argus offers comprehensive coverage across all major metals markets, providing independent pricing and market intelligence for steel, steel raw materials, base metals, alloys, scrap, pipe and tube, battery materials, rare earths and specialty and minor metals. Our pricing and market intelligence provide a clear, structured view of metals markets worldwide, helping you monitor key trends and respond to shifting market dynamics with confidence.
Stay ahead of the Metals market
To be informed of new metals content, sign up to the Argus Metals Newsletter of your choice. Each issue provides key prices, selected news, downloadable insight papers, podcasts, and on-demand videos on your selected metal markets. We offer four tailored newsletters according to your area of interest, covering battery materials, ferrous, non-ferrous, and scrap markets.
Latest metals news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global metals industry.
Australia awards $19mn for green iron pilot project
Australia awards $19mn for green iron pilot project
Sydney, 2 September (Argus) — The Australian federal government will provide up to A$26mn ($18.6mn) to green metals startup Element Zero to support the development of an electricity-powered green iron processing pilot project, ministers said in a joint statement on 2 September. Element Zero's A$53.6mn pilot project aims to produce low-emissions high purity iron using different types of Australian iron ore, including hematite and magnetite, as feedstock. The federal funding comes from Australia's Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, part of the government's efforts to develop a domestic green manufacturing sector under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The proposed project will be delivered in two stages. The first pilot plant will be capable of producing around 1t/d of iron, while a second phase — subject to formal review — will scale production up to 10t/d. The pilot will test a low-emissions manufacturing process known as electrochemical ironmaking, which is powered by electricity and utilises molten salts to produce high purity iron ore without using coal. The plant will operate at temperatures of 400-450°C, lower than those used in typical ironmaking processes, the ministers said. The low operating temperature will allow the project to run on intermittent renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and hydropower, according to the company's website. By Emma Partis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Talks can resume when US ‘starts being serious’: Carney
Talks can resume when US ‘starts being serious’: Carney
Calgary, 1 September (Argus) — Canada is prepared to resume trade talks with the US but is not inclined to do so until its southern neighbor's strategy becomes more constructive, prime minister Mark Carney said today. "When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough, and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions," said Carney in Ottawa on Tuesday. The US on 22 August imposed new tariffs on $28bn of Canadian imports using Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 after trade talks between the two countries broke down the evening before. Canada has vowed to retaliate "dollar for dollar" starting on 8 September. US president Donald Trump on 24 August called Canada "among the worst Nations in the World to deal with" before renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America days later. Carney said negotiations were derailed by unreasonable US demands, suggesting they would have put Canada's sovereignty at risk. Carney's comments came the day after his party and trade strategy got a boost from voters who elected three Liberal candidates in special elections to regain the party's majority position. The governing Liberals now hold 173 of the 343 seats in the House of Commons, allowing the passage of legislation without support from any of the other parties. The Conservatives remain the official opposition with 138 seats. The special elections were held to replace members of parliament who had resigned from their posts between general elections, which had temporarily reduced the Liberals' to slightly below majority status. Byelections were held in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, the three provinces hit the hardest by punitive US tariffs on Canadian goods. The US' latest trade action has nearly tripled the estimated effective tariff rate on imports from British Columbia to about 11pc, while roughly doubling the rate on imports from Quebec and Ontario to about 11pc and 8pc, respectively, according to ATB Financial. About 52pc of Canadians said they are "personally willing to undergo some significant economic pain" to help the rest of Canada amid the trade battle, according to a recent Ipsos poll. About 73pc of those polled support imposing an export tariff on crude oil, natural gas and electricity, while 69pc support limiting energy exports to the US altogether. Because of tariff exemptions by Trump on energy imports, Alberta and Saskatchewan have been relatively unscathed and have both advocated diplomacy over retaliation. By Brett Holmes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
S Korea's SK On, US' Neovolta sign LFP battery deal
S Korea's SK On, US' Neovolta sign LFP battery deal
Singapore, 1 September (Argus) — South Korean battery maker SK On will supply US' energy storage firm Neovolta Power with 9GWh of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pouch battery cells over 2027-31, conglomerate SK Innovation said on 31 August. The cell supply will come from the battery maker's facilities in US' Georgia, said SK Innovation, which owns SK On. SK On and Neovolta are planning to further partner up this year via a separate contract that involves another 9GWh of energy storage systems (ESS) battery cells from SK On, while Neovolta will provide energy storage packs in return, according to the two companies. SK earlier outlined its plans to win ESS orders amounting to 20GWh this year. Its fellow competitors such as LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI have similarly turned to the US ESS market given an electric vehicle (EV) slowdown, repurposing their EV battery lines for ESS production. SK operates two EV battery manufacturing facilities with a current total production capacity of 22GWh in Georgia's Commerce city in the US. Its 35 GWh/yr joint EV battery cells plant with major South Korean conglomerate Hyundai Motor in Georgia started commercial production in early June. Neovolta's Pendergrass facility in Georgia has an initial battery ESS production capacity of 2 GWh/yr, with ramp up expected in July-September. The company aims to expand the site to up to 8 GWh/yr of capacity in 2028. By Joseph Ho Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
UK plug-in solar shift prompts battery debate
UK plug-in solar shift prompts battery debate
London, 28 August (Argus) — The UK's decision to legalise plug-in solar panels could bring solar power to renters and flat-dwellers for the first time, but the government's refusal to allow plug-in batteries has prompted questions over the value of the policy. The change comes a day after government data revealed small-scale and rooftop systems accounted for all of July's growth in solar power capacity, pushing the UK's total solar capacity to 23GW. Conventional rooftop solar has long been available to homeowners, but the new 800W plug-in units — enough to power everyday appliances such as laptops, fridges and televisions — can be bought off the shelf and installed without the cost and complexity of a full rooftop system. The decision is a welcome move in the effort to democratise and decentralise power generation, allowing households to become part producers rather than simply consumers of electricity, said Andy Palmer, chairman of Slovak battery maker InoBat. Germany installed more than 400,000 plug-in solar systems last year, while UK households had no legal route to use them, making the UK's decision "overdue", Palmer told Argus . But the UK has stopped short at generation. Households can now plug a solar panel directly into their home, yet cannot easily pair it with a plug-in battery. This means excess electricity produced during the day cannot readily be stored for evening use. "Part of the benefit is lost," Palmer said. UK looks to increase pairing of solar and batteries The issue becomes more relevant as solar power accounts for a rising share of UK power supply. Solar power provided a record-high 45pc of domestic generation during peak-load hours in April . And grid-scale batteries are increasingly being deployed to move some of that daytime renewable power output into higher-value evening hours, helping to limit the call on gas-fired generation. Whether allowing plug-in battery storage becomes the next regulatory step remains unclear. The UK government estimates plug-in solar could save users up to £110/yr ($150/yr), based on the solar panels alone, with the technology's appeal resting largely on its low cost and simplicity. But as more households generate electricity behind the meter, pressure may grow to let them store it too. By Chris Welch Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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