Fastmarkets’ Fast Forward 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/