Short indium supply
2005-08-17 10:31:10 【Print】
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 17 Aug 05 - Indium supply is in shortage and smelters do not have many stockpiles, traders and smelters reported to Asian Metal.
"We've received some inquiries from Europe, America and Japan as well," said an official from a South China-based trading company, "but we have difficulties in obtaining the material."
Major smelters in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces do not have many stockpiles, as they lack raw materials -- crude indium. Crude indium smelters are reluctant to sell, because the tailing ore is also in shortage.
Last week, the company wanted to conclude 300kg of refined indium, but failed due to no spot cargos and material shortage. The source believes that the price will keep going up and that the workable price will hit USD1,030/kg.
An official from a South China-based smelter confirmed that indium is in shortage.
"We're very prudent to sell the product," said the source, "because crude indium smelters are unwillng to sell and we have difficulties to get the material."
The smelter concluded some orders only with old clients, albeit meeting parts of their demand. Early August an American client wanted 500kg of indium 99.995%min, but the smelter only concluded 100kg with them for a favorable price of USD930-935/kg.
Last week, the smelter concluded a four-month contract with a Japanese trader, supplying around 200kg per month.
According to the source, the workable indium 99.995%min price has risen from USD950/kg to USD980-990/kg this week.
