Frequently Asked Questions - MetalMiner 2025

A MetalMiner should-cost model breaks down every element of a secondary metal product, from from base commodity price (LME, Comex etc.) to grade, size, extras, conversion fees, freight and even tariffs! This granular transparency gives procurement teams a powerful negotiating edge. Knowing exactly what a component “should” cost allows the buyer to challenge inflated supplier quotes with data. 

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For example, MetalMiner’s steel should-cost model provides a price breakdown of base price plus mill extras (gauge, width and quality adders) for major U.S. mills. Buyers can see if a supplier’s added processing or margin is out of line and use that info to push for a better price. In practice, subscribers use these models to negotiate annual contracts more effectively, e.g. leveraging MetalMiner’s mill-by-mill cost comparisons to save on surcharges and extras.

MetalMiner provides both short-term and long-term outlooks to answer this. In their Monthly Metals Outlook, they forecast price direction and trading ranges for the upcoming month. For any given metal’s current trend, MetalMiner will indicate if they see it continuing or reversing in those time frames. 

For example, if copper prices are surging, MetalMiner might signal that a bullish trend has begun, and advise procuring a few months’ supply in advance, better known as “going long”. These guidance durations often appear as recommended forward-buy periods (e.g. “buy 3 months forward” during a confirmed uptrend) The granularity of the forecasts helps answer “how long?”. MetalMiner might note that a price rally still has momentum into next quarter or that a decline is nearing a bottom in the upcoming month.

When negotiating annual contracts, MetalMiner provides a quarterly annual outlook that projects the price for the next 12 months and, again, provides a long-term recommendation on contracting strategies.

A wide array of metals and forms across global markets. MetalMiner’s platform covers all major industrial metals and many product-specific price points, including:

• Base Metals: Aluminum, copper, nickel, zinc, lead and tin, with prices from LME, Comex and regional markets (e.g. U.S., European, and Chinese prices).
• Steel (Carbon Steel): Hot-rolled coil (HRC), cold-rolled coil (CRC), hot-dipped galvanized steel (HDG) and steel plate. MetalMiner provides U.S. mill prices, along with international benchmarks where relevant. Should-cost models provide prices at the grade and form level as well.
• Stainless Steel: Finished prices for a full range of commonly used grades such as 304, 430, 316 etc. In addition, the firm provides a surcharge forecast for a range of grades as well.
• Battery Metals: Chinese and South America prices for lithium. Chinese prices for cobalt, manganese and nickel sulfate. As well as prices for specific battery types, which includes LCO, LMO carbonate-based, LMO hydroxide based, NCA 811, NCA 955, NMC 111 carbonate based and NMC 811 hydroxide based batteries.
• Critical Minerals: MetalMiner is a leader in the development of market-based critical mineral prices and long-term forecasts. Examples include: gallium, germanium, tungsten, dysprosium. etc.
• Precious Metals: Comex prices for gold, silver, palladium and platinum.
• Minor Metals: Titanium plate and titanium sponge prices.
• Scrap Metal Prices: U.S.-based scrap steel prices.

In practical terms, MetalMiner offers over 200 distinct price feeds on its platform, MetalMiner Insights. This includes exchange-traded prices (LME, COMEX), futures, and a host of processed-metal price points that procurement professionals actually pay. Such comprehensive coverage means you can likely find the exact grade, form and region for the metal you buy, not just a generic index. And if you can’t find an exact match, the MetalMiner team will develop an index for you.

Forecast horizon: MetalMiner provides forecasts on  a monthly, quarterly and annual horizon. Each month’s outlook report gives a near-term forecast (a 30 day price range and trend indications), and they also produce an Annual Outlook that projects price direction for the coming 12 months. This annual forecast isn’t a single hard number per se, but rather a forward-looking analysis of where prices could move over the next year (often presented as ranges or scenario-based guidance).

In addition to this MetalMiner issues real-time alerts if the market shifts suddenly, ensuring their guidance stays current between forecast reports. Their actionable advice tends to focus on the next few months to a year, which aligns with most sourcing cycles.

Accuracy: MetalMiner’s accuracy is a major selling point, which is backed up by their track record. MetalMiner’s approach continuously monitors market signals and guidance, which helps maintain a high performance level. Over the past five years, they have consistently anticipated major turning points in metal prices. For example, their forecast team alerted subscribers to bullish runs in steel and aluminum before those markets peaked, allowing buyers to lock in material at lower costs.

The documented savings are significant: one case study showed a procurement organization saving $1+ million (7.3%) on a yearly stainless steel buy by timing purchases per MetalMiner’s signals. Other subscribers have seen double-digit percentage savings on steel and aluminum categories by following the forecast-driven strategies. 

These outcomes imply that the forecasts have been quite accurate in practice, to yield tangible ROI. MetalMiner’s own CEO noted that their AI-driven forecasting achieved an unmatched performance in the market. And while no forecast is 100% perfect, MetalMiner’s policy of frequent updates and range-based projections helps adjust for volatility, keeping accuracy on track. 

MetalMiner does officially support a money-back guarantee. Most MetalMiner customers have paid the cost of their subscription in their first purchase. MetalMiner is very focused on delivering value and ROI to clients. They often point out that if you follow their guidance, the cost savings should far exceed the subscription fee, effectively covering the service cost many times over in testimonials and case studies. Customers highlight that MetalMiner’s forecasts helped them save hundreds of thousands or even millions in procurement costs, validating the investment. The company’s strong track record and subscriber success stories serve as assurance. If you’re evaluating MetalMiner alongside competitors, it’s worth asking their sales reps about any performance guarantees or opt-out clauses.

Table of contents:

• Understanding HR Steel Coils
• Type of Hot rolled coils
• Hot Rolled Manufacturing Process
• Hot Rolled steel grades
• Application of HR coils
• HR Steel Coils vs CR Steel Coils
• Benefits of HR coils
• Estimate pricing and procurement guide

Hot rolled steel coils, or HR coils, are a versatile and essential material used across various industries in India. They are produced by rolling steel slabs at high temperatures, shaping them into long, flat strips that can be coiled for easy transportation and storage. HR coils offer a combination of strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making them a popular choice for manufacturers and construction professionals alike.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Hot Rolled Stainless Steel Coil.

In this article we talk about what is hot rolled steel coils, differences between hot and cold rolled steel coil, and the benefits of hot rolled steel coils.

Understanding Hot Rolled Steel Coils

Hot rolled steel coils are a type of steel product that undergoes a manufacturing process involving heating and rolling. The steel slabs are heated to a high temperature, usually above ° F which is above the re-crystallisation temperature for most steel products.  It makes them malleable, and then passed through a series of rollers to shape them into the desired thickness and width. Once the steel is cooled, it is coiled for storage and transportation.

Types of HR coils

There are several types of HR coils available, each with its own specific properties and applications:

• Carbon steel HR coils: These are the most common type of HR coils, made from carbon steel and offering a good balance of strength, ductility, and weldability.
• Alloy steel HR coils: These coils contain alloying elements such as manganese, silicon, or chromium, which enhance their properties for specific applications, such as corrosion resistance or higher strength.
• Galvanized HR coils: These coils are coated with a zinc layer to protect them from corrosion, making them suitable for outdoor use and applications where corrosion is a concern.

Hot Rolled Manufacturing Process

The hot rolling process involves heating and compressing a large, rectangular slab of metal called billet. It is then made to pass through a series of rotating rulers to achieve the desired dimensions. Finally, the rolled steel is wound into coiled rolls and left to cool.

It may be noted that steel shrinks slightly as it cools. As the rolled steel is cooled after processing, there is less control over its final shape. This makes hot rolled steel coil less suitable for precision applications and is often used where specific dimensions aren’t crucial. The hot rolled steel coil finds application mostly in railroad tracks and construction projects.

Applications of HR coils

Hot rolled steel coils are used extensively across a range of industries due to their flexibility and strength. These key applications highlight how integral they are in different sectors:

• Construction: Construction projects demand materials that can withstand immense weight and stress. Hot rolled coils are often used in the construction of structural beams, columns, and building frameworks. They are ideal for large infrastructure projects such as bridges, highways, and skyscrapers, where durability is critical.
• Automotive Industry: The automotive industry is a major consumer of hot rolled steel. HR steel sheets are used to manufacture various car parts, including the body panels, chassis, and suspension components. These parts require a material that is not only strong but also capable of withstanding high levels of stress, which hot rolled steel can easily endure.
• Shipbuilding: Ships require materials that can resist the pressures of the marine environment. Hot rolled steel coils are preferred for the ship’s hull and structural components. Their strength ensures that the ships remain sturdy, even in extreme sea conditions.
• Heavy Machinery: Heavy machinery, such as industrial equipment, cranes, and earth-moving vehicles, are built with hot rolled steel. The high durability and resistance of hot rolled steel coils make them a preferred choice for industries that demand heavy-duty performance. [Image: Use of HR Steel in Heavy Machinery]
• Pipelines and Energy Infrastructure: Hot rolled steel is used for pipelines in the oil and gas industry due to its ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures. The resilience and malleability of hot rolled coils allow them to be shaped into large pipes needed for transporting oil and natural gas over long distances.
• Agricultural and Railroad equipment etc…

How Hot Rolled is different from Cold Rolled Steel Coils

We have defined how rolled steel coil in the previous section. Let us understand what cold-rolled steel is to understand the difference between the two. When deciding between hot rolled and cold rolled steel, it’s important to understand the distinctions:

• Hot Rolled Steel Coils: While cold rolled steel offers superior surface quality and precision, hot rolled coils are preferred for applications where cost efficiency and strength are prioritised. Their strength and malleability make them ideal for large structures, heavy machinery, and construction.
• Cold Rolled Steel Coils: These are made at room temperature, which allows for more precise shaping and a smoother surface finish. Cold rolled steel is often used in applications where aesthetics are important, such as in the production of appliances, precision tools, and smaller components. Cold rolled steel tends to be more expensive due to the additional processing required.

Key differences between hot and cold rolled steel coils:

• Hot rolled stainless steel has imperfect edges with distortions unlike cold rolled steel
• Hot rolled steel coils are less time-consuming and cheaper than cold-rolled stainless steel
• Cold rolled stainless steel is stronger than hot rolled stainless steel

we have covered a detailed article covering “key differences between hot rolled steel coils and cold rolled steel coils” for businesses to understand what is needed for their projects.

What are the benefits of hot rolled steel?

Hot rolled steel coils is heated to high temperature to make the steel malleable. It offers several manufacturing advantages. Some of the benefits of hot rolled steel are described below:

• Cost: Hot rolled steel tends to be less expensive than cold rolled steel as less processing is involved. The hot rolled steel coil price in India is between ₹61 – ₹74 per kg approximately.
• Ease of working: The processed material of hot rolled steel coil is easy to form and shape.
• Minimal internal stress: The hot rolling process is cooled gradually, allowing the material to normalise its structure, and become free of internal stresses.
• Time: Because of its ease of manipulation hot rolled steel can be converted into products faster.

While there are several benefits of hot rolled steel coils, there are a few drawbacks too. This type of steel is weaker than cold rolled steel as the high temperature weakens the metal before it cools back down.  Hot rolled steel is also rougher to the touch.

Also Read on: Aluminium Coil, Colour coated steel coil, Stainless steel coil.

Estimated Prices of Hot Rolled Steel Coils in Major Indian Cities

Please note that steel prices fluctuate frequently due to market conditions, government policies, and other factors. The prices listed below are indicative and may not reflect the exact prices at the time you access this information. It’s always recommended to check with multiple suppliers or consult online platforms for the most current and accurate pricing.

City Approximate Price per Ton (₹) Delhi ₹ 45,000 – ₹ 50,000 Mumbai ₹ 43,000 – ₹ 48,000 Kolkata ₹ 44,000 – ₹ 49,000 Chennai ₹ 46,000 – ₹ 51,000 Bengaluru ₹ 47,000 – ₹ 52,000 Hyderabad ₹ 45,000 – ₹ 50,000 Ahmedabad ₹ 44,000 – ₹ 49,000 Jaipur ₹ 45,000 – ₹ 50,000 Lucknow ₹ 46,000 – ₹ 51,000 Pune ₹ 44,000 – ₹ 49,000

To sum up:  How to procure hot rolled steel coil for your business?

Hot rolled steel coils offer a balance of strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making them a valuable material for a wide range of applications in India. While they may not have the same level of surface finish or dimensional accuracy as cold rolled steel, HR coils excel in mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, ductility, and toughness. This makes them ideal for structural components, automotive parts, manufacturing processes, and infrastructure projects. By understanding the different types of HR coils, their applications, and the factors influencing the market, MSMEs can effectively source and utilize this essential material to meet their specific needs and contribute to the growth of the Indian steel industry.

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