Markets

摘要

Ferrous scrap processors experienced a slight market rebound in January ($20 to $30 per ton or so) as a result of low inventories in the supply chain. Small scrap generators and peddlers had earlier stepped back from the market due to low prices. When steel mills tried to buy recyclable metal at the start of the year, they found low supplies at scrap yards and thus had to boost prices to acquire metal. Similar to the assessment for ferrous scrap (see above), scrap yards in North America have little aluminum and copper on-site. In fact, a number of facilities have temporarily closed their doors because of the lack of business. Now aluminum and copper consumers are scrambling to acquire enough recovered metal. Thus, some analysts figure that consumers will be forced to move prices higher to keep operating.