Commodities Focus

Russian and OPEC officials last week discussed the progress of their landmark crude oil production deal, and plans to increase bilateral cooperation, during multiple meetings and events held in Moscow.Russia's relationship with Saudi Arabia took center-stage, with the Saudi King's historic...

The Asian thermal coal market is at an interesting crossroads this week, as Chinese buyers make a cautious return to the Asia seaborne market after their week-long holiday. Meanwhile, buyers in Japan continue to wrestle with Australian coal suppliers over prices for term contracts starting October...

Recent Platts spot billet upcharges are being driven higher by strong extrusion demand and a handful of supply issues, which may continue into next year. Karen McBeth, director of metals pricing and market engagement, speaks with Sarah Baltic Hilliard, Americas aluminum products pricing specialist,...

Over the past two weeks, the alumina market has seen high prices, fewer spot cargoes and talks of refinery cuts, sending prices to multi-year highs. In this podcast, S&P Global Platts editors Yuen Cheng Mok and Joanna Lim examine the surge in alumina prices and look at market expectations in...

Russia's recent focus on diversifying its export markets in Asia dovetails with plans by many countries in the region to expand refining capacities, which is reflected in a growing number of joint projects agreed recently.S&P Global Platts managing editor in Moscow Nadia Rodova discusses how...

The future of antidumping duties against Argentinian biodiesel were finally confirmed this week, stipulating duties to be reduced by September 28. S&P Global Platts European biofuels editor, George Griffiths and global editorial director for agriculture, Tim Worledge discuss the potential...

The polyethylene terephthalate market saw prices spike at the beginning of August when Lotte declared FM at one of its two plants in Wilton, UK. S&P Global Platts editor Sarah-Jane Flaws details the current situation and the expectation over the coming months.We welcome any feedback or...

The advent of the new sugar crop and overhaul of the European sugar regime in October are causing a stir in the European ethanol industry, as market participants expect to see some sugar-beet-based ethanol capacity return to the market.Further down the line, concerns around the potential removal of...

Monday's eclipse cut a path across the US, causing concern for power grid operators — especially those with significant amounts of solar power generation. How did prices react, and what else is ahead in 2017? The North American power pricing team of Kassia Micek, Charles Noh and Jeff Zhou...

Approximately 90% of the world's trade travels by sea and one would expect the industry's supply chain to be the height of modernity by adopting disruptive technology and strategies. However, this could not be further from the truth, as S&P Global Platts commodities associate Eleni...