This week, the ferrous metals series prices fluctuated rangebound.

This week, LFP prices showed relatively small fluctuations, with a slight increase.

As of December 27, according to SMM monitoring data, the total iron ore inventory at 35 ports stood at 144.99 million mt, down 860,000 mt WoW but up 28.15 million mt YoY.

Minor metals, which are often lost amongst the bigger base metals such as copper and aluminum, are critical inputs into a number of industrial applications. This group is added with metals such as indium, gallium, germanium, and tantalum which are significant for technology and manufacturing. Indium, Gallium, Germanium, and Tantalum are metals essential for technologically advanced manufacturing processes.

Lithium carbonate is a crucial component in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in various applications, including electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronic devices. Its significance stems from its role as a primary raw material in the synthesis of cathode materials, which directly affects battery performance, energy density, and longevity. As the global demand for EVs and renewable energy storage solutions continues to rise, the importance of lithium carbonate in battery manufacturing becomes increasingly evident.

When analyzing the price of pig iron, global supply and demand dynamics play a pivotal role. As a commodity essential for steel production, pig iron's price is influenced by the production capabilities and strategies of major producing countries, as well as the demand from consumer nations.

Over the past few years, the gear steel market pricing trends have remained subject to fluctuations from several factors. In particular, the rising demand for gear steel, an industrial material essential across various sectors, directly correlates to technological advancement and heightened industrial activity. That said, economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions have added some volatility to the scene. This is making it even harder for manufacturers to know what they will be paying for raw materials in the future as well as the cost of all the components and services they are using and therefore plan their budgets. Staying updated on all of these trends will allow stakeholders to make the best decisions moving forward.

According to an SMM survey, as of Thursday (December 26), total zinc ingot inventory across seven regions was 65,200 mt, down 17,000 mt from December 19 and 4,900 mt from December 23.