Monday, December 28, 2009

Manganese flake price goes stable

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 28 Dec 09 – Participants disclosed to Asian Metal that manganese flake price goes stable while demand from downstream consumers keeps weak and most consumers are waiting for the price to decrease with stocks on hand.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 7M6Z
A Guizhou-based manganese flake smelter, with an output of 2,000tpm, revealed to Asian Metal that current manganese flake price is RMB14,100-14,200/t (USD2,064-2,079/t) ex works and goes stable these days due to the high production cost. Demand from downstream consumers keeps weak and few inquiries are received. The source is fulfilling some orders with no stocks on hand.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 0EV5
According to the source, most smelters are in operation in local places and supply is not tight with low demand, although most smelters do not have stocks. The source claimed no inquiries from foreign overseas market are reported as the Christmas is coming, and just accept the export price of USD2,700/t FOB.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com Y523
A Chongqing-based manganese flake smelter, with an output of 2,000tpm, reported to Asian Metal that manganese flake price is RMB14,100-14,200/t (USD2,064-2,079/t) ex works, he is fulfilling some orders of 1,000t signed at RMB14,400-14,500/t (USD2,108-2,123/t) ex works two weeks ago. "I heard that some smelters sell at RMB14,000/t (USD2,050/t) ex works, but I think the price will go stable in the coming days for the high cost, although only few inquires are received," said the source.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 896F
The source made a deal of more than 200t at USD2,750/t FOB last week, and no inquires from foreign customers are reported while the Christmas is coming, so he is unwilling to give an offer for the moment with no demand.

Antimony market summary

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 28 Dec 09 - Antimony products market becomes quiet during the week although prices remain firm. Antimony ingot producers intend to raise offers further in view of the shortage of antimony ore while higher antimony ingot prices as well as tight supply of the material leave antimony trioxide uneasy, who have to increase offers accordingly to offset the rising cost.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com PKAF
Prevalent offers for antimony ingot 99.65%min in Hunan rise to RMB41,500-42,000/t (USD6,076-6,149/t) ex works while some major producers put their offers at as high as RMB42,500/t (USD6,223/t) ex works for the material, indicating that they have no intention of selling. Small smelters also increase their offers to RMB38,000-38,500/t (USD5,564-5,637/t) ex works VAT excluded for antimony ingot 99.65%min and some consumers reported that they have difficulty in getting antimony ingot 99.9%min at prices lower than RMB39,000/t (USD5,710/t) ex works VAT excluded.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com YCD7
Antimony ingot producers in Yunnan and Guangxi also keep their offers firm at RMB41,000-41,500/t (USD6,003-6,076/t) ex works and RMB40,500-41,000/t (USD5,930-6,003/t) ex works respectively, but they confirmed that not many deals have been concluded in the market partly because some smelters do not have many stocks on hand and partly because consumers think current price too high to accept.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 845Q
One of the key reasons that antimony ingot producers insist on high offers is the short supply of antimony ore and concentrate. Some antimony ingot producers reported that they are unable to run at full capacity due to lack of raw material, resulting in tight supply of antimony ingot as well.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com TX9M
In view of tight supply of antimony ingot and also the possible increase in the metal, antimony trioxide producers find themselves in dilemma. Some producers reported that they dare not accept new orders, for they cannot make sure the supply of antimony ingot at a reasonable price. Therefore, some producers raise offers of antimony trioxide 99.5%min and 99.8%min to RMB39,000/t (USD5,710/t) ex works to keep away risks. However, few deals have been reportedly concluded at prices higher than RMB38,000/t (USD5,564/t) ex works.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 6HJI
Export market for antimony ingot and antimony trioxide turns stagnant with most western buyers absent for Christmas and New Year holidays. In line with the increasing price domestically, export offers for antimony ingot and antimony trioxide rise to USD6,100-6,250/t FOB China and USD5,650-5,800/t FOB respectively. Although exporters reported to have received some inquiries from Asian buyers, few deals have been reported.

Magnesium ingot market summary

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 28 Dec 09 - Despite the slowdown in western demand, magnesium ingot price rises mildly in China because of the increased ferrosilicon price. As ferrosilicon market goes chaotic, some magnesium ingot producers raise their offers and some cease quoting.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com Y890
Some large-scale smelters in Shanxi's Taiyuan and Wenxi increase offers to RMB16,100-16,300/t (USD2,357-2,387/t) ex works from previous RMB15,800-16,000/t (USD2,313-2,343/t) ex works, but most domestic buyers are hesitant to place orders. Some smelters claimed deals at RMB16,000-16,200/t (USD2,343-2,372/t) ex works, but some major end users from magnesium powder and alloy sectors disclosed that they had managed to replenish stocks of magnesium ingot at RMB15,600-15,800/t (USD2,284-2,313/t) ex works from Shanxi suppliers. While some producers lift offers, some smelters in Shanxi hold back from quoting in view of the unstable ferrosilicon market. They prefer to resume offering when ferrosilicon prices stabilize.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com HP0R
Some producers in Northwest China increase offers for ferrosilicon 75% to RMB6,000-6,200/t (USD878-908/t) ex works, RMB500/t (USD73/t) higher than those before the electricity price rose in Gansu price. It is said that other provinces, where many ferrosilicon smelters are located, are also about to adjust the electricity price, so ferrosilicon producers are ready to raise offers at any time. As a result, magnesium producers, who cannot settle down the raw material price, are at a loss.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 1A45
Similar to some smelters in Shanxi, most Ningxia-based magnesium smelters also suspend offering on account of the chaotic ferrosilicon market. Some smelters claim that they would not consider selling magnesium ingot at below RMB16,000/t (USD2,343/t) ex works, while some are still fulfilling contracts signed at around RMB15,700-15,800/t (USD2,299-2,313/t) ex works.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com C4X3
Offering prices in Shaanxi also go up slightly. Some large-sized smelters start to quote RMB15,700-15,800/t (USD2,299-2,313/t) ex works or RMB100/t (USD14/t) less for materials without acid treatment and package. However, some magnesium powder producers and dealers reported that they succeeded in obtaining magnesium ingot without acid treatment and package at RMB15,400-15,500/t (USD2,255-2,269/t) ex works during the week.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 0UH1
Domestic price increase for magnesium ingot is merely led by higher ferrosilicon price but not out of demand. Now that most westerners have left for Christmas and New Year holidays, the export market is expected to keep dull at least until the second week of January and thus producers and traders are not pinning their hope on export deals. Although exporters lift offers to USD2,680-2,720/t FOB China in accord with domestic price increase, few deals are being concluded in the export market.

Antimony trioxide,Antimony ingot price holds high

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 28 Dec 09 – Antimony ingot price is still hovering at a comparatively high level because of the shortage of antimony ore. Most large producers would like to watch the market for the time A Hunan-based smelter, whose monthly output was 100-200tpm, told Asian Metal that they quote at RMB41,800/t (USD6,120/t) ex works for antimony ingot 99.65%min now. "It is really hard for us to purchase antimony ore at present, so we have no intention to sell our products at any lower prices," the source said, adding that they still hold some stocks on hand.
The source predicts that antimony ingot price will be stable in the first half of next month, but might decrease a little because of the increasing stocks in the market after mid-January. "The economy is recovering so slowly that we even can't feel any improvement," the source lamented.
A Hunan-based consumer, who usually purchases antimony ingot to produce antimony trioxide, confirmed that they have difficulties in finding antimony ingot now. "Large producers who have some stocks are unwilling to sell, claiming that they want to wait and see the market," the source said, adding that one producer quoted him as high as RMB42,500/t (USD6,223/t) ex works in mid-December.
The source anticipates that antimony ingot price will go up further in the first month of next year. "It is not favorable for us if antimony ingot price is too high, because our consumers will reduce their production to lower the consumption of antimony trioxide at that time," the source said.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Antimony trioxide price expected to rise

The price of antimony trioxide tended to stabilize early last week, and many producers and export suppliers plan to lift their offers this week.
A major producer in Yunan reported that inquiries have been increasing during the past one week, and they have concluded some deals at above RMB36,000/t (USD5,271/t) ex works, which is a little higher than the price in early December.
The source only sold a small quantity of antimony trioxide last month because the price was decreasing and most buyers preferred to watch the market at that time. "Buyers seem more active now," the source said, showing that they will adjust the price up according to the market situation.
A supplier from Hunan revealed to Asian Metal that they will raise their offer later. "More and more overseas buyers are busy inquiring, and we have already closed some contracts recently at prices around USD5,550/t FOB China," the source said.
The source did little business in late November and early December. "Buyers were expecting the price to decrease, and would like to wait for a while. However, they start to place their last orders before the Christmas holiday now," the source said.
The source expects the price of antimony trioxide will climb up with more deals concluded in the following ten days. "Since overseas buyers who have not purchased the material intend to replenish their stocks, the market might be a little active this week," the source said. Meanwhile, the source still believes that the supply of antimony ingot is tight which might push the price of antimony trioxide up.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Supply Antimony Trioxide Twinkling Star Brand in regular

We are able to offer the following Antimony Trioxide Twinkling Star Brand price from Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star
Origin: China
Quantity (MT): 40-100mt in regular
FOB Price: USD5670/MT
Loading Port: Huangpu,port,China.
Specifications:
SB2O3: 99.5% min,PB: 0.1% max,AS: 0.06% max,FE: 0.06% max,CU: 0.06% max,SE: 0.005%max
Size: 0,5-0.9um
Packing: 25kg bags of 1MT each
Date Posted: 17th,Nov, 2009.
Price and availability subject to confirmation. This price quoted supersedes all previous prices.
CNF prices also available,please email us for further details:samjiefu@gmai.com

Manganese production decreases further due to power restriction in South China

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 9 Dec 09 - Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of PRC has already announced the goal of elimination of backward ferroalloy production capacity in 2009 with electrolytic manganese metal included. Guizhou is on the top of the list with an eliminate of 370.4 thousand tons of ferroalloy capacity, Hunan the second with 269 thousand tons, and Guangxi will have to eliminate 166 thousand tons on the third.
Till the moment, Guizhou already has carried out restriction of power supply to manganese smelters while Hunan and Guixi are believed to follow soon. After the hit by higher power tariff, the decreasing supply would also result in lower production of manganese metal. Though purchasing from the downstream stainless steel mills has been stable which may not help to push up manganese price, the tightening supply of electrolytic manganese metal may push the suppliers to increase their offers further in some areas.