Rising zinc costs likely to squeeze HDG margins

Spanish Market: Metals
19/08/22

Rising zinc and soaring energy costs will squeeze margins for hot-dip galvanised (HDG) coil manufacturers without a significant demand and price recovery.

European zinc smelters have responded to recent surges in energy costs with production curtailments. Global metals group Nyrstar announced that its Nordic zinc smelter, Budel, will be placed under care and maintenance from 1 September. The company has previously reduced production in response to high energy costs. Swiss-based commodity firm Glencore also placed its Portovesme zinc line in Italy under maintenance in late 2021 amid high energy costs, and the asset has remained off line since.

Prices on the London Metal Exchange jumped following the announcement of the recent curtailments, with the three-month contract closing at $3,797/t on 16 August, up from $2,857/t in the middle of July. Gas prices have also been jumping on constrained supply from Russia. The TTF benchmark was €240/MWh on 18 August, compared with €144.50/MWh at the start of July.

These costs will affect European and Turkish rollers, particularly given low HDG demand and prices. Of the approximate 23,000t of zinc imported by Turkey last year, just over 80pc of this came from European and EU producers. Turkey has imported nearly 10,000t of zinc from Europe so far this year.

The majority of zinc contracts are annual. As much as 80pc of EU steel mill demand is met through annual contracts, although some terms have shortened in recent years. Contracts typically have large volume optionality of plus or minus 10-20pc, and European mills have been taking as little as possible given the low demand from key sectors, such as automotive, and reduced output.

Zinc costs vary depending on mill and supplier. But Argus estimates that on average, if a mill paid about $75/t for a 100g zinc coating on 0.5mm rolled material, with zinc costing $2,857/t at the beginning of July, this would have risen to approximately $100/t based on current prices.

Thus, re-rollers and mills will be forced to try to implement price increases in the coming weeks amid low demand.

Lower HDG demand has continued for several months now amid economic uncertainty and a weak automotive sector. Buyers' reduced purchasing power will do little to revive demand, without which re-rollers will struggle find the market accepting of higher prices. It is more likely that they will find their margins squeezed, boosting the likelihood of further cuts.

By Lizzy Lancaster

Zinc costs per tonne of HDG production

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

20/11/24

ArcelorMittal could close two service centres in France

London, 20 November (Argus) — Europe's largest steelmaker ArcelorMittal is contemplating closing two service centres in France as part of a restructuring at its Centres de Services business in the country. The company informed staff on Tuesday that it might close its Reims and Denain sites because of a "sharp drop in activity among its industry and automotive customers", the company told Argus . Negotiations with trade unions will begin shortly, it said. Rumours about the potential closures have been circling since just before a large industry event in Hannover, Germany, in late October. Further consolidation and restructuring is expected throughout the European service centre market because of the fall in real consumption, and the difficult financial position it has caused for some processors. Most service centres have been selling processed sheet at a loss in recent months, because of weak end-consumption. German cold-roller Bilstein, that sells predominantly to the automotive industry, will reduce headcount and is contemplating closing one of its five lines, or reducing shifts across its business. There have also been market discussions about ArcelorMittal selling other automotive-facing service centres in Europe, as part of a wider reorganisation of the EU processing sector. Germany's largest steelmaker, ThyssenKrupp, has closed some of its distribution sites in its home country. Participants note the service centres are not part of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, which is still in talks with Daniel Kretinsky over taking a 50pc share in the business. ThyssenKrupp's ownership change could have wider ramifications for the service centre and steelmaking sector in general, with Kretinsky open to finding a strategic partner. By Colin Richardson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Graphjet launches Malaysian biomass-to-graphite plant

20/11/24

Graphjet launches Malaysian biomass-to-graphite plant

Singapore, 20 November (Argus) — Nasdaq-listed Graphjet Technology has started operations at its artificial graphite plant in Malaysia, which will produce battery-grade graphite using recycled palm kernel shells (PKS), the firm said on 19 November. Graphjet's facility has the capacity to produce 3,000 t/yr of graphite by recycling up to 9,000 t/yr of PKS, which is sufficient to produce batteries for 40,000 electric vehicles (EVs)/yr. The firm has already received its first shipment of PKS, it said. Graphjet has another artificial graphite production facility planned in US' Nevada, and it plans to produce hard carbon at the Malaysian facility to use as feedstock at the Nevada facility. The Nevada facility is expected to have the capacity to recycle 30,000 t/yr of PKS to produce 10,000 t/yr of battery-grade artificial graphite and is slated to begin production in 2026, said Graphjet in April. China, the dominant producer of graphite, added a number of graphite products into its export licensing scheme at the end of last year. The move back then alarmed its neighbours, Japan and South Korea , which are major battery-producing countries and they have since been looking to reduce their dependency on Chinese graphite. China's graphite flake exports fell by 23pc to 44,103t during January-September following the exports curb, according to Chinese customs data. By Joseph Ho Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japan, Peru sign deal to enhance copper supply chain

19/11/24

Japan, Peru sign deal to enhance copper supply chain

Tokyo, 19 November (Argus) — The Japanese and Peruvian governments have signed a strategic partnership to bolster the copper supply chain, with a comprehensive road map to promote bilateral business opportunities for natural resources. This agreement came as Japan accelerates efforts to secure copper supplies, while Peru is a key global copper supplier. The two countries rolled out a comprehensive road map for enhancing political and economic relationships on 17 November. This includes organising an annual bilateral meeting for mining and energy investment as well as conducting joint research on efficient mining operations, such as removal of impurities from copper ores, according to the road map. Unlike conventional initial agreements that are typically signed without a specific closing date, the Japanese-Peruvian road map has set a 10-year timeline that will end by 2033. This seems to reflect Japan's sense of urgency in securing base metal supply including copper. "Japan would like to continue to co-operate with Peru to strengthen the resilience of the supply chain of mineral resources such as copper", said Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba in Peru on 17 November. Japan's current strategic energy plan that was revised in 2021 aims to lift base metal self-sufficiency to 80pc by 2030, up by around 30 percentage points from the 2018 level. But the strategy appears to not be on track, the country's ministry of trade and industry Meti reiterated in late October without disclosing the current rate. Japan appears to be especially concerned about copper supply. Meti forecasts global copper demand to double to around 50mn t in 2035 following the global electrification of applications including electric vehicles, while there will likely be a 10mn t/yr supply shortage. The country's domestic copper ingot demand is forecast to exceed 1.4mn t by 2030, according to Meti, up by 400,000 t from the 2022 level. This is partially attributed to the adoption of more artificial intelligence, it added. Japan is making efforts to diversify copper supply sources, given the deterioration in quality of copper supplied by the world's biggest producer Chile, Meti said. Peru and Argentina are prominent suppliers in the region, according to Meti, adding that Japanese government support is essential for acquiring stakes in upstream operations in those countries, given their higher risks. By Yusuke Maekawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Argentina pulls delegation from Baku

13/11/24

Cop: Argentina pulls delegation from Baku

Montevideo, 13 November (Argus) — Argentina's government today withdrew its delegation from the UN Cop 29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The country's foreign affairs ministry confirmed to Argus that the delegation had been told to leave the event, which began on 11 November and will run through 22 November. No reason was given for the decision, but it fits the general policies of President Javier Milei, who has expressed skepticism about climate change. Milei eliminated the country's environment ministry shortly after taking office in December 2023. He is also pursuing investment to monetize oil and gas reserves, with a focus on the Vaca Muerta unconventional formation. Vaca Muerta has an estimated 308 trillion cf of natural gas and 16bn bl of oil, according to the US Energy Information Administration. In October, the government created the Argentina LNG division with a plan to involve private companies and the state-owned YPF to produce and export up to 30mn metric tonnes (t)/yr of LNG by 2030. It wants to export 1mn bl of crude. The plans are closely linked to a new investment framework, known as RIGI, that will provide incentives for large-scale investments. The administration is also pushing hard for investment in critical minerals, including copper and lithium. Argentina has the world's second-largest lithium resources, estimated at 22mn t by the US Geological Survey. It has copper potential that the RIGI would help tap. The government has not specified if pulling out of Cop 29 means Argentina will withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which Argentina ratified in 2016. The country's nationally determined contribution calls for net emissions not to exceed 359mn t of CO2 by 2030. This represents a 21pc reduction of emissions from the maximum reached in 2007. By Lucien Chauvin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Guterres warns of exploitation in minerals race

13/11/24

Cop: Guterres warns of exploitation in minerals race

London, 13 November (Argus) — Demand for critical minerals vital to the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors should be met without causing a "stampede of greed" that exploits local communities and harms those living in poverty, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has said. "We are here to respond to a key challenge — turning the energy transition towards justice," Guterres told the UN Cop 29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Guterres warned that as the energy transition accelerates, it could present more risks than opportunities for many developing countries rich in metals such as copper or lithium unless managed with justice and equity. "For developing countries rich in resources, [the energy transition] is a huge opportunity to generate prosperity, eliminate poverty and drive sustainable development. But too often this is not the case," he said. "Too often we see the mistakes of the past repeated in a stampede of greed that crushes the poor," Guterres added. "We see developing countries ground down to the bottom of value chains, as others grow wealthy on their resources." In response to concerns in developing countries rich in battery minerals, the UN in April established the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. The panel of governments, international organisations, industry and civil society developed "voluntary principles" for managing value chains for critical energy transition minerals. The panel's report outlines seven voluntary guiding principles covering environmental and human rights, responsible investment and finance, transparency and anti-corruption measures, and international co-operation. It also identifies five "actionable recommendations", including establishing an advisory group to accelerate benefit-sharing and economic diversification, developing a mineral traceability framework and creating a fund to address mine closures and other mining legacies. The UN code has no enforcement mechanisms, and so implementation depends on the participation of industry, governments and civil society. By Cristina Belda Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more