Argus Media

Metal Movers: Inside the Global Tungsten Squeeze

In this episode, Argus explores the forces behind the dramatic surge in global tungsten prices. What began with Chinese export controls has deepened into a structural supply squeeze, leaving both domestic and international consumers struggling with tight availability. Our experts discuss how mining constraints, shifting demand dynamics and limited substitution options are shaping one of the most volatile critical mineral markets of 2026.

Covered in this episode:

• How ageing mines, limited upstream investment and reduced output have created a structural shortage in Chinese tungsten supply
• The impact of China’s export controls on global availability — and why its domestic market is now feeling the squeeze as intensely as overseas buyers
• Whether substitution with molybdenum, niobium, titanium or ceramics can meaningfully reduce demand for tungsten carbide and mill products
• The limits of recycling in Europe and North America — and the scope for China and Japan to expand recycling to ease supply constraints
• When global tungsten prices might peak, how long historically high levels may persist, and how new mine capacity from South Korea, Kazakhstan and Europe could reshape the market from 2027 onward

Metals Movers: Stainless insights with ISSDA’s president

A focused discussion on India’s stainless steel sector covering industry challenges, government policies, raw‑material dependence, trade agreements, CBAM implications, U.S. tariff barriers, and ISSDA’s priorities for 2026–27.

Key topics covered in the podcast:

• Structural challenges in India’s stainless steel
• Impact of 2026-27 union budget on stainless steel
• Raw‑material security & import dependence
• Trade pressures: EU FTA, CBAM & U.S. Tariffs

Falando de Mercado: Novos destinos para o sebo bovino brasileiro

 

As exportações brasileiras de sebo bovino para os EUA despencaram com alterações em políticas de incentivos. No entanto, novos mandatos na Europa e no Brasil prometem realocar volumes e mexer com os preços desse insumo, que é usado na produção de combustíveis, ração animal e itens de higiene e limpeza. Saiba mais acompanhando essa conversa entre Lucas Boacnin, gerente de desenvolvimento de negócios em transição energética da Argus, e João Marinho, responsável por precificação de óleos e gorduras e um dos colaboradores do relatório Argus Brasil Combustíveis. 

 

Alguns dos tópicos debatidos neste episódio: 

 

• Dados sobre a oferta de sebo bovino no Brasil 

• Fatores redutores da demanda pelos EUA 

• Potencial de crescimento da demanda pela Europa 

• Demanda doméstica pela indústria de biodiesel 

Chemical Conversations: Changing Ethylene Dynamics Across Global Markets

In this episode of Chemical Conversations, Argus experts Alan Williamson, Toong Shien Lee and Michael Camarda offer a region‑by‑region view of the factors reshaping global ethylene markets in 2026.

Listen to the latest episode to:

• Understand how regional supply length and shifting trade flows are shaping near‑term market balance.
• Examine how narrowing naphtha-ethylene spreads and reduced South Korean cracker run rates are affecting short‑term regional supply dynamics.
• Hear how Europe’s cost structure, ETS exposure and rationalisation activity are influencing competitiveness.
• Explore how rising global capacity additions are affecting North America’s export position and derivative margins.

If you'd like to discuss any of these updates in more detail, book a meeting with our Argus Olefins experts at AFPM's IPC by clicking here. Please can you hyperlink this to mailto:chemicals@argusmedia.com

Additionally you can find out more about Argus’ Light Olefins services, including Argus Ethylene, Argus Olefins Outlook and Ethylene Analytics, which provide independent assessments of global balances, cost structures and capacity developments. Learn more here.

SAF Insights: Introducing Argus' SAF & HVO fob Straits assessments

Argus launched RED-certified sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fob Strait of Malacca prices in January 2026, to capture growing production capacity and liquidity in the region. Join Alfonso Berrocal (VP, Business Development, Oil Products and SAF) and Sarah Giam (Associate Editor, Biofuels & Net-Zero) as they:

• Unpack the rationale behind the price launches
• Share more details on the prices, and how they are assessed
• Speak about the latest developments on SAF policy, and how regional SAF and HVO markets might pan out in future

You can find the detailed methodology for these prices and others in the Argus Biofuels report here.

Weight of Freight: Talking tankers with Asyad’s CEO

The Weight of Freight podcast today speaks to Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, chief executive officer of Oman’s Asyad Shipping. The podcast includes a deep dive into the crude and product tanker markets from the perspective of a key shipowner, as well as the decision-making process around alternative fuels and the investment decision around new shipping technologies, ranging from LNG to rotor sails.

Key points include, but are not limited to:

• Purchasing VLCC vessels and outlook on the VLCC tanker market
• Evolving role of refineries in the Middle East and how a shipowner views market trends
• Alternative fuels, shipping technologies and fleet renewal
• Charter agreements, long-term vs spot
• How shipping responds to geopolitics

Global LPG Conversations: Exports and Inventories: Key Trends Affecting Canadian NGL prices in 2026

Canadian LPG firms are increasingly vying for more space in the crowded global LPG market, actively pushing to diversify their exports away from the US. At the same time, Canadian NGL production continues to rise. Calgary’s LPG reporter Dennis Kovtun shares with us the western Canadian NGL pricing outlook.

Falando de Mercado: Atualizações do mercado pós-Fertilizer Latino Americano

 

A conferência Fertilizer Latino Americano (FLA) foi realizada em Miami no final de janeiro, trazendo discussões sobre abastecimento e mudanças nos fluxos comerciais globais. Renata Cardarelli, responsável pelo relatório Argus Brasil Grãos e Fertilizantes, conversa com a especialista Gisele Augusto sobre as movimentações desse mercado no Brasil e no Cone Sul desde o evento.  

Alguns dos tópicos debatidos neste episódio: 

·               Ritmo de compra de nitrogenados para a safrinha de milho 

·               Descasamento entre ofertas de compra e venda 

·               Disponibilidade de produto importado no Brasil 

·               Preferências dos agricultores 

·               Produção de caprolactama pela China 

·               Negociações e tendências de preços de diferentes nutrientes 

·               Acesso a crédito pelos agricultores 

Market Talks: Market moves since the Fertilizer Latino Americano conference

 

The Fertilizer Latino Americano (FLA) conference was held in Miami in late January, with discussions about supply and changes in global trade flows. Renata Cardarelli and Gisele Augusto, who both contribute to the Argus Brazil Grains and Fertilizers report, talk about market developments in Brazil and the Southern Cone since the event. 

Some of the topics discussed in this episode: 

·               Pace of nitrogen purchases for the second corn crop 

·               Mismatch between offers and bids 

·               Availability of imported product in Brazil 

·               Farmers’ preferences 

·               China’s caprolactam production 

·               Negotiations and price trends of different nutrients 

·               Farmers’ access to credit 

Biomass Beat: UK Waste Wood for Biomass at a Crossroads, Post 2027

As Renewables Obligation support begins to fall away in 2027, the UK’s waste‑wood biomass sector faces a pivotal moment. In this episode of the Biomass Beat podcast series, Argus' Hannah Adler speaks with Richard Coulson, Biomass Lead at the Wood Recyclers Association, to unpack what this shift means for recyclers, biomass plants and the wider waste‑wood market and what’s needed to secure the sector’s future.  

Hear expert insights on:

• Why RO closure threatens both waste‑wood capacity and the UK’s emissions reduction strategy. 
• The causes of the current waste‑wood oversupply and whether relief measures are enough. 
• The immediate and long‑term policy actions needed to stabilise the market.

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