Platts, CME Group Collaborate on US Aluminum Spot Market Transparency

Platts, a leading provider of commodities market data, and CME Group, a derivatives marketplace, are collaborating to increase transparency in the US spot physical aluminum market through PlattsView, a direct-entry communications tool. The tool, expected to launch in January 2026, will allow participants to enter bids, offers, and transaction data into the Platts Market-On-Close price assessment process for the US Aluminum P1020 Midwest Transaction Premium. The Platts MWP is the industry benchmark for US aluminum prices.

Platts, a leading provider of commodities market data, and CME Group, a derivatives marketplace, are collaborating to increase transparency in the US spot physical aluminum market. The partnership involves the development of PlattsView, an online, direct-entry communications tool that will be integrated into the Platts Market-On-Close (MOC) price assessment process for the US Aluminum P1020 Midwest Transaction Premium (MWP). This tool, expected to launch in January 2026, will allow participants to enter bids, offers, and transaction data directly into the Platts price assessment process [1].

The Platts MWP is the industry-recognized benchmark for US aluminum prices. The new PlattsView tool will provide users with an enhanced real-time screen view of market activity, facilitating more efficient communication and data entry. Matt Thompson, Head of Platts Global Trading Solutions at S&P Global Commodity Insights, expressed excitement about the tool's potential to bring increased transparency to the US aluminum market and expand the company's collaboration with CME Group [1].

CME Group will provide its CME Direct front-end solution as the technology backbone for PlattsView. Jin Hennig, Managing Director and Global Head of Metals at CME Group, highlighted the significance of the collaboration in enhancing transparency for the US aluminum community, as regional price dynamics become increasingly important [1].

This initiative comes amidst a backdrop of significant developments in the aluminum market. Aluminum futures have recently risen to $2,620 per tonne, near their highest level in four weeks, driven by a weaker dollar and lower supply. Guinea Alumina's loss of mining licenses and South32's announcement to close its Mozal plant in Mozambique have also impacted the market [3].

The collaboration between Platts and CME Group underscores the industry's commitment to leveraging technology for improved market efficiency and transparency. As the world's leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group and its exchanges offer a wide range of global benchmark products across various asset classes, including metals [1].

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/platts-cme-group-announce-screen-123000233.html
[2] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/platts-cme-group-announce-screen-based-price-assessment-tool-for-aluminum-midwest-premium-302541037.html
[3] https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/aluminum