Extension of consultation period for the amendment to cobalt metal brand list

Fastmarkets proposed on January 24 to increase and realign the listed brands for the two assessments to reflect new developments in the market.

Fastmarkets is proposing the following:

First, the addition of Huayou into the standard-grade brand list.

Increased metal refining capacity in China has led to a rise in production of Chinese metal brands. Data gathered from pricing sessions shows an increase in the trading activity of the brand on a spot and forward basis in the in-whs Rotterdam market. This data also shows this brand transacting more toward standard-grade applications.

Second, an increase in the production of other non-listed brands has been reported by market participants.

Fastmarkets will conduct informal data collection of the trading activity of these brands to help inform a potential second brand consultation later in 2024. The data collection would include but not be limited to the following brands: Hanrui cut cathodes, Tengyuan cut cathodes and Greatpower cut cathodes.

Third, Fastmarkets invites feedback on the potential movement of KLK from alloy grade into standard grade.

Data gathered during pricing sessions over the past year has suggested that KLK is typically affected by fundamentals and dynamics affecting the traditional standard-grade market. Fastmarkets is aware that many brands can be sold for use in multiple industries and therefore also invites feedback on the predominant usage of KLK brands as part of this consultation.

Cobalt brands and the grades under which they are designated are under constant review by Fastmarkets.

Fastmarkets reviews all pricing data carefully to ensure that its price assessments reflect the “open and competitive” market level. Reporters therefore may apply expert judgement to exclude data deemed unrepresentative or unreliable, prior to consideration of the final assessment.

The extended consultation period for this proposed amendment starts from January 24, 2024 and will now end on March 8, 2024. The amendment will then take place, subject to market feedback, on Friday March 8, 2024.

To provide feedback on the price assessments for MB-CO-0005 cobalt, standard grade, in-whs Rotterdam and MB-CO-0004 cobalt, alloy grade, in-whs Rotterdam, or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to the cobalt metal price series, please contact Alex Cook and Justin Yang by email at: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “FAO: Alex Cook/Justin Yang, re: Cobalt Brand Realignment.”

Please indicate if comments are confidential. Fastmarkets will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.

To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology.