Platts proposes to update quality specifications for Manganese Ore 44% CIF China assessment; discontinue VIU differentials and revise manganese content normalization

Following industry consultation, Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, is proposing to update the basis quality specifications of its weekly Manganese Ore 44% CIF China assessment. Platts also proposes to discontinue its value-in-use (VIU) differentials for high-grade manganese ore, revise the normalization of manganese content and update the assessment description effective May 3, 2027.

Basis Specification

Platts proposes to update the basis specifications for iron, silica, and alumina underlying its Manganese Ore 44% CIF China assessment as follows, to better reflect the quality specifications of cargoes traded in the market:

VIU Differentials

Platts is also proposing to discontinue its VIU differentials following preliminary feedback and Platts' observation that brand value, logistics and other commercial considerations outweigh chemical specifications in determining cargo pricing.

Under this proposal, Platts would discontinue the following weekly assessments:

Normalization Process

Platts also proposes to revise the normalization process for high-grade ore by determining value differences across varying manganese contents using prevailing spot market information and pricing data from market surveys published as heards, rather than applying a linear normalization.

Under this proposal, Platts would widen the manganese content range of data points considered in the assessment to 40-48% from 40-46%, reflecting changes in the quality specifications of cargoes traded in the market.

Assessment Description

The current description of the Platts Manganese Ore 44% CIF China assessment would also be changed to Platts High-Grade Manganese Ore CIF China assessment.

The weekly assessments and the associated monthly average are published in Platts Nonferrous Metals Alert on pages MTL/PMA 395, in Platts Metals Daily, and in the Platts price database.

Feedback Deadline and How to Submit

Platts previously published a consultation note on July 20, 2026, seeking feedback on potential changes to the manganese assessment methodology and normalization.

Please send any questions, comments, or feedback to Platts_Manganese@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Oct. 30.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.

Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.