Advertise on podcast: Fastmarkets’ Fast Forward podcast

In the latest episode of Fastmarkets' Market Briefing podcast, Laura Varriale, regional editor for base metals covering Europe, Africa and the Middle East, speaks with Laura Roberts, strategic markets editor for base metals, about how low-carbon aluminium and copper markets are evolving, what drives premiums, and whether buyers are truly willing to pay more for greener metal. As manufacturers work to reduce supply chain emissions, low-carbon metals are becoming an increasingly important part of procurement strategies. But while low-carbon aluminium has developed into a well-established premium market, low-carbon copper is still in its early stages. Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products, visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter reports from the Fastmarkets Global Lithium, Battery and Critical Materials Conference in Las Vegas, exploring how the sector is shifting from an EV‑led growth story to a broader ecosystem spanning energy storage, AI and national security.   Featuring voices from the US Department of Energy, Rio Tinto and Lockheed Martin, the episode examines supply chain vulnerabilities, scale‑up challenges and the growing role of long‑term contracting and innovation in securing future supply.   Tune in for a concise look at how geopolitics, demand shifts and industrial strategy are reshaping critical minerals markets.   Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products, visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In this short episode of Fast Forward, Masha Belikova, grain market reporter at Fastmarkets, explores why wheat prices in the Black Sea region remain elevated despite expectations of a large new crop.   Tune in for a concise overview of the key forces shaping global wheat markets, the tension between strong supply and firm pricing, and the pivotal role the coming weeks of harvest and trading activity will play in determining price direction.   Fastmarkets is your source of commodity analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products, visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter is joined by senior US Department of Defense officials, Michael Cadenazzi and Zach Boykin, for a rare, in‑depth discussion on how critical minerals have shifted from a niche supply chain concern to a core pillar of national security policy.   Drawing on insights from inside the Pentagon, they unpack the structural changes reshaping demand, the vulnerabilities embedded across global supply chains, and the growing urgency to rebuild industrial capacity across mining, processing and refining.   Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving intersection of critical minerals, geopolitics and defence readiness, and what it means for markets, pricing and future supply security.   Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In this short episode of Fast Forward, Alex Kershaw, senior analyst for steel, raw materials and ferrous scrap at Fastmarkets, unpacks the recent volatility in global scrap steel markets and what is driving price movements across key regions.   From the US and Europe to Turkey and China, the discussion explores how rising energy and freight costs, partly driven by the Middle East conflict, are lifting prices despite weak steel demand.   With seasonal supply increases and cheaper alternatives like pig iron, the conversation examines shifting market balances, including diverging trends between prime and obsolete scrap and the impact of policy and trade flows.   Tune in for a concise overview of the forces shaping scrap pricing, the fragility of current price support, and the downside risks emerging across the near‑ to medium‑term outlook.   Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and technology metals market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/    This episode was recorded in the second week of May 2026.

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter speaks with Stella Li, executive vice president at BYD, one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle and battery companies. From ultra-fast charging and vertical integration to global expansion and shifting consumer expectations, Stella explains how BYD is redefining what it means to be a carmaker, positioning the vehicle as a technology hub rather than simply a mode of transport. Covering Europe’s complex market dynamics, China’s hyper-competitive EV landscape and the role of hybrids in accelerating electrification, the conversation explores the strategic and technological forces shaping the future of mobility. Tune in for insights into EV innovation, global automotive competition and the technologies transforming the driving experience. Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals, battery raw materials and automotive market intelligence. To discover more about our products, visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In this short episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter speaks with Jon Stibbs, managing editor for technology and energy metals at Fastmarkets, to unpack why a handful of highly specialised materials are becoming increasingly critical to modern defense capability.   From jet engines and secure communications to night‑vision systems and ammunition, the discussion explores how these inputs enable advanced military technologies, and why their concentrated, geopolitically sensitive supply chains are raising concerns for Western defense planning.   With export controls, policy intervention and long development timelines shaping availability, the conversation examines how governments and industry are responding to growing supply‑chain risk.   Tune in for a deep dive into defense‑critical materials, geopolitical leverage and the industrial vulnerabilities emerging at the heart of global security.   Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and technology metals market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/    This episode was recorded in the second week of April 2026.

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter sits down with Sir Mick Davis, former CEO of Xstrata and founder of Vision Blue Resources, to explore the paradox of mining finance. Despite unprecedented demand for critical minerals to fuel the energy transition, the rising cost of capital and complex risk landscape are stifling growth. From geopolitical challenges to permitting hurdles and the moral hazard of mining investment, Sir Mick shares his unique insights on the structural shifts reshaping the industry.      Tune in for a deep dive into the future of mining, capital allocation and the urgent need for strategic action. Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In this episode of Fast Forward, host Andrea Hotter dives deep into the unpredictable world of copper markets with industry veteran David Lilley of Drakewood Capital Management. Together, they explore how copper has shifted from a supply-and-demand-driven commodity to one influenced by fear, forward expectations and geopolitical tensions.  Discover why raw materials like copper could become the ultimate constraint in an AI-powered world, overshadowing manufacturing capabilities. From the impact of deglobalization and strategic stockpiling to the rise of electronic waste recycling, this episode unpacks the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of critical minerals.  This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of the global commodities landscape. Tune in to learn why "fear has become a fundamental" and how copper could define the next decade of innovation and resilience.  Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

As we wait for the next long‑form episode of Fast Forward, we introduce a shorter‑form market update that will be published across the year. Delivering timely, bitesize insights and stories from across the commodities landscape, these episodes are designed to help listeners keep pace with developments that have caught the attention of our editorial team. In this episode, Fastmarkets editorial and pricing director Andrew Wells introduces the new format, which expands coverage beyond metals to include forest products, agriculture and carbon, offering timely headlines, price movements and key market developments in the time it takes to grab a morning coffee. The first update comes from Solomon Cefai, senior price reporter covering technology and energy metals, who outlines a busy start to February for US critical minerals policy. US government initiatives have emerged as a positive for domestic producers, led by the announcement of Project Vault, a $12 billion critical mineral stockpile. Initially targeting cobalt, lithium, rare earth elements, gallium and germanium, the program is expected to expand to other strategic minerals including copper, graphite and silicon. While the long‑term goal is to protect automotive and technology supply chains, the stockpile is also expected to support new production at a time of limited downstream demand and heavy midstream concentration in China. Solomon notes that the policy has been broadly welcomed, but highlights concerns around market distortion, supply tightness and the risk of squeezing existing consumers outside the US, particularly in Europe and Asia. The civilian stockpile differs from existing USDLA stockpiles and will rely on large trading houses to source material for strategic manufacturers, despite already tight supply due to previous Chinese export controls. Solomon also touches on proposed international critical mineral reference prices within a preferential trade zone, intended to de‑risk new supply chains, though details remain unclear, and growing political scrutiny, as senior US Democrats probe government investment and its implications for transparency and competition. Eduardo Tinti, senior price reporter, then joins us with an update from the agriculture sector with developments in the soybean and biofuel markets. A social media post from US president Donald Trump suggested China could increase purchases of US soybeans sparked a rally in Chicago futures, while Brazilian cash premiums softened and Chinese crush margins came under pressure. Eduardo also highlights renewed Chinese buying from the US Gulf and expectations that China may auction imported soybeans to make room for incoming cargoes. In biofuels, Eduardo explains that new EPA guidance proved bullish for US feedstocks, particularly soy oil, corn ethanol and animal fats, while excluding most imports from outside North America. Additional support came from trade developments with India, which may reduce or eliminate import taxes on a quota of US soy oil. The episode concludes with a look ahead to upcoming long‑form interviews as part of our Fast Forward franchise. For more information: https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/ This episode was recorded in the second week of February 2026.

In the season finale of Fast Forward, we explore whether India is having its ‘metals moment’ on the global stage. With policies like the National Critical Minerals Mission and ambitious investment incentives, India is positioning itself as a politically stable and diversified hub for key commodities like aluminium, copper and zinc. Host Andrea Hotter speaks with Vedanta Resources’ CEO, Deshnee Naidoo, about how industrialization, urbanization and electrification are driving domestic demand, enabling India to scale production while reducing global reliance on China. However, the road ahead isn’t without its challenges. This episode puts the spotlight on Vedanta’s ambitious $10 billion pipeline, unpacking the opportunities and obstacles shaping India’s future as a critical player in the global metals market.   Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In this episode of Fast Forward, host Andrea Hotter dives into the world of strategic stockpiling with insights from Major General (Ret) Alberto Rosende, the CEO of M2i. Discover how governments and private sectors are building critical mineral reserves to safeguard against supply chain disruptions and geopolitical risks. From the role of AI in predicting shortages to the importance of recycling and domestic mining, this episode unpacks the strategies shaping the future of resource security. Tune in to explore the challenges, opportunities, and global collaborations driving this essential initiative.  Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter sits down with Raj Surendran, CEO of Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, to explore the West's efforts to decouple from China in the critical minerals space. Raj shares his unique perspective on the challenges of building non-China supply chains, the misconceptions about China's dominance and the practical realities of diversification versus decoupling. From geopolitical tensions to operational hurdles, this conversation unpacks the complexities of reshaping global supply chains and the role collaboration could play in the future.  Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

In the second part of Fast Forward's special on Africa, join Andrea Hotter as she journeys along the Lobito Corridor, a transformative trade route reshaping Africa’s economic landscape. Discover how the historic Lobito Atlantic Railway is becoming a critical minerals lifeline, connecting Africa’s resources to global markets. Meet the people driving this ambitious project and explore the challenges and opportunities of building a modern trade corridor.    Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

Experience Angola like never before. In this on-the-ground episode, Andrea Hotter takes listeners to Angola, where the Lobito Corridor is emerging as a symbol of Africa’s economic transformation. From the bustling US-Africa Business Summit to the corridors of power, discover how this ambitious project is redefining trade, critical minerals and global partnerships in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. In the first of this two-part special, Andrea takes you to the heart of Luanda, uncovering the continent’s pivotal role in the critical minerals race and the tug-of-war between global powers. Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/