Trying to extrapolate some of the key developments and events impacting the global economy over the last six to eight weeks has felt like a match-up between the “DE”s and the “RE”s. Words like DEcoupling, DErisking and DEdollarization have resonated a lot and are coming up against REgionalization, REglobalization and REcession (...)

• South East Asia a hot spot for international co-operation with China
• Consolidation of co-operation between China and developed countries
• CMRA organizes international delegations

• Softening metal markets
• Higher official cash rates
• Improvement in freight rates

• Slowing consumer spending power
• Robust manufacturing supports recycled material flows
• Jobless rate close to record low

• Car sales dip following end to incentives
• Electric vehicle sales climb almost 35% in March
• Chinese scrap processors continuing to build facilities in South East Asia

• Big question as to whether India can defy global headwinds
• Secondary copper market finds some traction
• Scrap standards process sees differences over definitions and procedures

• Currency weakens on monetary policy announcement
• Increase in copper scrap exports
• Tight domestic market for aluminium scrap

• CAGR of 4.6% envisaged for regional non-ferrous metals market
• Growing commitment to sustainability in the region
• Saudi Arabia sets ambitious goals to reduce carbon footprint

• Recycling industry facing prospect of down year in 2023
• Some scrap yards squeezing margins to sustain volumes
• Thefts of complete or partial truck and container loads

• Non-ferrous business activity showing signs of slowdown
• Copper scrap in tight supply
• Business activity to remain down until political stability achieved

• Growth prospects hampered by load shedding
• Unexpected interest rate hike in March
• Scrap export ban to be evaluated in May

• Manufacturing orders increase in second quarter
• China commits to huge investment in Malaysia
• Region becoming key in electric vehicle battery production

• Banking troubles as another major player fails
• Inflation tempered and growth slowing
• Terminal market prices flat to lower

• Tightening cash flow for companies
• Important changes relating to green energy consumption in Poland
• Stronger rouble slowing Russian export activity

• Exports slump in March
• Smelters still struggling with energy prices
• Copper sector becoming very quiet

• Shortage of scrap on the market
• Further increase in employment levels
• Positive data from car market

• Challenging scrap market with frequent delivery changes
• Weak growth predicted for Swedish economy this year
• Finnish production levels surprisingly resilient

• Portugal sees 1.6% GDP growth in first quarter
• Spanish economy exceeds expectations
• Generally weak demand for copper, copper alloys and aluminium

• Inflation running at double-digit percentage
• Conditions remain difficult for non-ferrous metals trading
• Aluminium can sector steps up lobbying over Deposit Return Scheme