Monthly Zirconium Market Report Oct 2018
2018-11-15 11:50:23 【Print】
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1 Market Highlights
Transactions for Chinese zircon products declined amid stability in October on the whole. In particular, Chinese zircon sand prices went up by RMB100/t (USD14.39/t) in early October supported by the price increase of major overseas suppliers, but in late October returned to the level of early October due to the lack of downstream demand. As ceramics producers who held large volumes of stocks substantially lowered their output limited by environmental inspections and staggering peak production policies, the demand for zirconium silicate weakened continuously. And in spite of certain support from zircon sand prices, zirconium silicate producers slightly lowered their prices by RMB100/t (USD14.39/t) during October to recoup funds and reduce stocks. In view of high prices for caustic soda and zircon sand, major domestic zirconium oxychloride producers began to reduce output in October, leading to slightly decreased output for the material in the spot market; however, prices of the material only had limited room to go up due to continuously weak demand in the overall market. In addition, Chinese zirconium sponge market sees obviously decreased demand and lower prices as many downstream producers in Shaanxi halted production as a result of local environmental inspections.
After major Australian zircon sand suppliers raised their prices in the fourth quarter, CIF China prices of Australian zircon sand 66%min reached USD1,580-1,660/t in October, up by USD30/t MOM. Chinese buyers purchased the material at USD1,610-1,640/t CIF China. In particular, prices of Tronox's Australian zircon sand 66%min were USD1,620-1,640/t CIF China. Meanwhile, prices of Indonesian Central Kalimantan zircon sand 66%min went down by USD10/t MOM to USD1,510-1,540/t CIF China influenced by soft demand in the Chinese ceramics market.
Transactions for Chinese zircon products declined amid stability in October on the whole. In particular, Chinese zircon sand prices went up by RMB100/t (USD14.39/t) in early October supported by the price increase of major overseas suppliers, but in late October returned to the level of early October due to the lack of downstream demand. As ceramics producers who held large volumes of stocks substantially lowered their output limited by environmental inspections and staggering peak production policies, the demand for zirconium silicate weakened continuously. And in spite of certain support from zircon sand prices, zirconium silicate producers slightly lowered their prices by RMB100/t (USD14.39/t) during October to recoup funds and reduce stocks. In view of high prices for caustic soda and zircon sand, major domestic zirconium oxychloride producers began to reduce output in October, leading to slightly decreased output for the material in the spot market; however, prices of the material only had limited room to go up due to continuously weak demand in the overall market. In addition, Chinese zirconium sponge market sees obviously decreased demand and lower prices as many downstream producers in Shaanxi halted production as a result of local environmental inspections.
After major Australian zircon sand suppliers raised their prices in the fourth quarter, CIF China prices of Australian zircon sand 66%min reached USD1,580-1,660/t in October, up by USD30/t MOM. Chinese buyers purchased the material at USD1,610-1,640/t CIF China. In particular, prices of Tronox's Australian zircon sand 66%min were USD1,620-1,640/t CIF China. Meanwhile, prices of Indonesian Central Kalimantan zircon sand 66%min went down by USD10/t MOM to USD1,510-1,540/t CIF China influenced by soft demand in the Chinese ceramics market.
