Updates in Mining
Copper Prices Plunge
Copper prices are down 17% on the back of tariff announcements from U.S. President Donald Trump. A 50% tariff kicked in August 1st, applying to pipes, tubes, various semi-finished copper products, as well as products in which copper is heavily employed – a much narrower scope of materials than initially anticipated, according to Reuters.
Graphite Tariff to Help U.S. Production
In other tariff news, domestic graphite producers got a boost when the U.S. Commerce Department announced a 93.5% tariff on Chinese graphite. Domestic producers of the material so critical to electric vehicle batteries have been unable to gain traction in the market, due to Chinaโs suspected โdumpingโ of the raw material, according to CNN.
More Aluminum Recycling Needed
Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. has released a new report exploring the essential role recycling could play in meeting rising demand for the lightweight metal while achieving net-zero emissions, particularly when it comes to high-value alloys.
Updates in Fertilizer
Biostimulants Recognized at House Agriculture Committee Meeting
The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) applauded the House Agriculture Committeeโs recent highlighting of biostimulants in a hearing entitled, โPast Breakthroughs and Future Innovations in Crop Production.โ The meeting discussed the bipartisan Plant Biostimulants Act of 2025. Biostimulants are increasingly being recognized for their role in helping farmers sustainably meet growing food demands, and the industry is eager for legislative support.
Fall Fertilizer Demand Expected to Be Down
Fertilizer demand could drop this fall as prices rise, according to the Argus fertilizer affordability index, World Fertilizer says. Market fundamentals are not in the growerโs favor, as tariffs restrict fertilizer supply in the face of lower crop prices.
Updates in Chemical
HON Rule Facilities Get a Break
Facilities regulated under section 112 of the hazardous organic National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (HON) rule will enjoy a reprieve from what the industry sees as regulatory overreach following the announcement of a two-year compliance exemption from the U.S. EPA. The American Chemistry Council says the HON rule would have otherwise jeopardized the production of chemicals essential to national security, public health, and economic security.
From Plastics to Infrastructure
Hawaii Pacific Universityโs Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) will be the first in the state to process hundreds of thousands of pounds of plastic waste into products for infrastructure. The new Plastic Recycling Research Facility (PRRF) will take waste collected from the North Pacific Garbage Patch and convert it into various products for use in local construction, including much-needed affordable housing projects.
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