Man of the Futures Leo Melamed

 Man of the Futures Leo Melamed 

This is a great book that I believe everyone should read. 

It’s not only a book about the futures industry; it’s a an immigrant story, it’s a story about Chicago, a story about the American Dream and it’s also a success story about a visionary who transforms an industry and builds it to adapt to the future, which is something we all can learn from regardless of your industry. 

For those of us who have been in the futures industry it’s impossible to not have been influenced by Leo. 

In this time that we living in, it’s hard to not think/hope that there are 100s of other Leo’s out there making the dangerous journey to America that who will also enrich our nation. 

Man of the Futures Leo Melamed it’s well written and an easy read. I highly recommend it to everyone

#leomelamed #cme #cmegroup #futures #futurestrading #commodities #cbot #chicago #melamed #ceres #davidnealis 

Cobalt supply gives the electric vehicle manufactures the blues

 

Cobalt supply gives the electric vehicle manufactures the blues.

 As demand increases, coronavirus variants continue to disrupt supply chains and as nations and even corporations weaponize trade against their rivals who will be successful in securing the resources that they need?

If the shortage of semiconductors and the high prices of tin, lithium and copper weren’t enough to dampen production cobalt’s historically high prices its supply struggles to keep up with demand.

It shouldn’t be a shocker that China controls the lion’s share of cobalt. Though China hasn’t discovered significant amounts of cobalt in China yet, but it does control more than 40% of the cobalt mines in Republic of Congo.

The Republic of Congo provides the majority of cobalt supplied to the market today. It’s mined in the central African country and shipped over land to the South African port of Durban with the bulk of it being shipped too China to be processed. 

Cobalt has been a popular choice for batteries because the metal increases battery life and energy density, which in the case of EVs means additional range, by keeping the battery structure stable as the battery is continuously charged and discharged.

In addition to batteries Cobalt is used in aircraft engine parts, in alloys with corrosion/wear resistant uses, and in electroplating. Cobalt salts are used to impart blue and green colors in glass and ceramics. Radioactive ⁶⁰Co is used in the treatment of cancer. Cobalt is a component of vitamin B12, which supports the production of red blood cells.

Recycling has to play a vital role in the supply of cobalt and other vital resources but that will not be sufficient as demand increases.

So as the world weaponizes trade against its geopolitical and commercial rivals how will your firm secure the resources required to thrive into the next decade?