Argus Media

The fall in prices for spodumene and lithium carbonate since the start of 2023 has weighed on both established and emerging projects the world over, with many producers cutting or delaying production targets until prices rebound. For emerging spodumene producers in southern Africa, often operating on low grades, many lithium projects are struggling to get off the ground.

As Argus launches spot spodumene lithium prices fob southern Africa, Tom Kavanagh, Editor of Argus Battery Materials, is joined by Clive Murray, founder and CEO of Small Artisanal Mining Services (SAMS), to look further into African lithium in the context of the global market.

Key topics covered in the podcast:

• The state of African lithium in the global market
• How SAMS is supporting early-stage spodumene producers in southern Africa

Argus’ James Elliott is joined by global polyurethanes editor Laura Tovey-Fall and US polyurethanes reporter Catherine Rabe to discuss the latest developments in the US and global polyurethanes market. Ahead of The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry’s (CPI's) annual Polyurethanes Technical Conference in Atlanta Georgia next week, the team discuss:  

• The latest developments for MDI, TDI and polyols in the US market.  

• Market updates in Europe, Latin America and China.  

• What to look out for in the polyurethanes industry for the coming weeks.  

Stay informed with Fuels Focus, the essential podcast form Argus that delivers timely analysis and key highlights from the US refined products marketplace. Each week, our experts break down the most significant developments affecting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, RINs and ethanol prices – equipping you with the knowledge to navigate the market complexities with confidence.

 This week’s episode features:

• US retail motor fuels prices extend declines
• US court asked for third Citgo auction extension
• Court rebuffs requests to rethink SRE rulings

Tune in every Monday for your weekly recap of the stories shaping the road fuels market.

Argus’ James Elliott is joined by global polyurethanes editor Laura Tovey-Fall and US polyurethanes reporter Catherine Rabe to discuss the latest developments in the US and global polyurethanes market. Ahead of The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry’s (CPI's) annual Polyurethanes Technical Conference in Atlanta Georgia next week, the team discuss:  

• The latest developments for MDI, TDI and polyols in the US market.  

• Market updates in Europe, Latin America and China.  

• What to look out for in the polyurethanes industry for the coming weeks.  

Ammonia freight is stepping up from traditional smaller gas carriers with a rush of high-tech, very large ammonia carriers (VLACs). Listen to Lisa Assmann, Senior Shipbroker at the Sales & Purchase/Project department at Norwegian shipbroking company Steem1960, which focuses on ammonia projects, Mathias Kyllingstad, Gas Analyst at Steem1960, and Yohanna Pinheiro, Argus Gas Freight Reporter, discuss how the gas carrier markets will evolve in the wake of clean ammonia momentum.

 

Key topics covered in the podcast:

• Overview of the current seaborne ammonia market trade
• Details of the LPG/ammonia fleet and order book
• Current geopolitical effects on ammonia routes and tonne-mile demand
• Potential freight demand supported by blue and green ammonia projects
• Intersections of the LPG and ammonia freight markets
• Infrastructure challenges for Very Large Ammonia Carriers
• Challenges and opportunities in investing in ammonia freight

Stay informed with Fuels Focus, the essential podcast form Argus that delivers timely analysis and key highlights from the US refined products marketplace. Each week, our experts break down the most significant developments affecting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, RINs and ethanol prices – equipping you with the knowledge to navigate the market complexities with confidence.

This week’s episode features:

• Hurricane Francine brings a pause to Louisiana’s oil infrastructure | Read more
• US Summer Driving Season gasoline demand declines  | Read more
• Ethanol group asks court to rethink SRE rulings | Read more

Tune in every Monday for your weekly recap of the stories shaping the road fuels market.

Welcome to this Methanol Market Puts-and-Takes podcast episode, part of the Chemical Conversations series. 

In this episode, the Argus global methanol team (Dave McCaskill, Cassidy Staggers, Roel Salazar, Victoria Baghdjian, Becky Zhang) recap events and discussions from this year’s Argus Methanol Forum, including:

• News of Methanex’s acquisition of OCI’s methanol business
• Insights from speaker presentations and panels
• Implications on international supply/demand fundamentals and pricing direction

Argus offers methanol prices, news, analysis, forecasts, and consulting. Get more information and request a free trial. 

The rapid evolution of the TMX market is starting to impact the supply profile along the US west coast, with Latin American producers beginning to feel the pressure from increased competition. Asia-Pacific producers may soon also feel the pinch with an active delivered market in Shandong opening the door for Canadian volumes to enter the region. As the reach of the TMX barrels continues to expand, prices in Vancouver and Shandong appear to be increasing, reflecting global market fundamentals. Join Argus’ crude and LPG editorial manager Gus Vasquez and Pacific coast reporter Rachel McGuire in discussing recent developments and price behaviour.

Key topics covered in the podcast:

•   LatAm crudes being displaced from the US west coast
•   Recent price movements at Vancouver
•   How logistics continue to play a prominent role in where the volumes go

Stay informed with Fuels Focus, the essential podcast form Argus that delivers timely analysis and key highlights from the US refined products marketplace. Each week, our experts break down the most significant developments affecting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, RINs and ethanol prices – equipping you with the knowledge to navigate the market complexities with confidence.

 This week’s episode features:

• WTI, Gasoline and Diesel continue declines | Read more
• Edgewater to purchase Shell assets near Houston Ship Channel | Read more
• Marathon Detroit Refinery Workers strike | Read more
• Seven & i Holdings rejects Couche-Tard takeover bid | Read more

Tune in every Monday for your weekly recap of the stories shaping the road fuels market.

The spread between automotive grade urea (AGU) — a feedstock to produce Arla 32 — and the nitrogen fertilizer continues to increase, reducing demand for AGU in a market with low international availability.

Join Renata Cardarelli, editor of the Argus Brazil Grains and Fertilizer publication, and reporter Gisele Augusto as they discuss the context of the Brazilian market for AGU amid logistical challenges and its usage as a feedstock.