Antimony price climbs in European market
2005-08-22 08:50:32 【Print】
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 22 Aug 05 – As many Europeans come back from their summer holidays, the antimony market is getting active, so is the price.
A Belgium trader told Asian Metal that he just concluded a deal this morning with the price at USD3,750/t in-warehouse Rotterdam, and the previous deal was made in last week at USD3,600/t in-warehouse Rotterdam. “There are more activities in the market than last few weeks, and the price rose very fast,” said the trader. According to the trader, the antimony ingot he just sold has a little bismuth content, and the material with lower bismuth and lead contents sells at USD3,850/t in-warehouse Rotterdam.
“I expect the price will reach USD4,000/t in two or three weeks. Just think about all the European people are coming back to their offices. The demand would be really high, and I heard that some Chinese suppliers are still in stoppage, therefore, the supply would be tight,” said the trader. “Of course, some consumers made purchases before they left for summer, but still, they did not make full purchase, so they need to buy when they get back.”
A manager from a German antimony trioxide consumer is worried that the price of antimony trioxide would also climb after the ingot. “I received offers for antimony metal is above USD3,700/t in the spot-market, and antimony trioxide is always USD200-300/t cheaper than antimony metal. With the price of antimony metal, the raw material, climbs high, the price of antimony trioxide will definitely go with it.” The source watches the market closely.
“What I am mostly concerned with is whether the Chinese government would cancel the export tax rebate on the material,” said the source. “The market should be controlled by the relationship of supply and demand, not by government interference.”
