As spring breathes vitality into the world, the 11th Antimony Forum, hosted by Asian Metal and co-organized by Hsikwuangshan Twinkling Star Co., Ltd., Shandong Hengbang Smelting Co., Ltd., and Hunan Zhenqiang Antimony Industry Co., Ltd., concluded successfully on March 21, 2025, in the beautiful coastal city of Xiamen. This year's forum attracted nearly 500 representatives from over 20 countries and regions—including China, the United States, Germany, France, Australia, Oman, Pakistan, Brazil, Bolivia, Russia, Belgium, Tajikistan, India, Turkey, Japan, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand—gathering together to explore the future of the global antimony industry. With the theme “New Situation, New Pattern, New Development,” the conference aimed to foster global collaboration, strengthen international exchanges, and build consensus, confidence, and synergy within the industry. The venue buzzed with activity as attendees reviewed the past, envisioned the future, rekindled old relationships, forged new connections, shared insights, and explored business opportunities—working together towards collective progress. The Antimony Forum, held annually by Asian Metal, has become a key platform for global antimony industry players to network, negotiate, and collaborate. It plays a vital role in promoting industry integration and cooperation while gathering leaders and experts to focus on the sector’s future.

At 8:50 a.m., Mr. Ben Jiang, the content director at Asian Metal and host of the forum, announced the grand opening, extending a heartfelt welcome and gratitude to all attendees. He reflected on 2024’s challenges, including intensified geopolitical tensions, global financial volatility, and uneven economic recovery. With the introduction of China’s antimony export control policy, global pricing and supply dynamics saw significant shifts.

The opening speech started from Mr. Jiasheng Li, the general manager of Hsikwuangshan Twinkling Star Antimony Co., Ltd., the co-organizer of the forum. Mr. Jiasheng Li opened with a warm welcome and emphasized that the Fourth Industrial Revolution and trade barriers have rapidly driven up antimony prices, presenting both opportunities and challenges. He highlighted the need to address supply constraints, price disparities, and environmental concerns, stressing the importance of upstream-downstream cooperation to enhance industrial competitiveness.

Subsequently, Mr. Yongmiao He, the chairman of Hunan Nonferrous Metal Industry Investment Group Chenzhou Mining Co., Ltd., stressed the strategic significance of antimony, especially in the context of export controls and a shifting industrial chain after expressing his sincere welcome to all the guests and colleagues from the antimony industry around the world and his heartfelt congratulations on the grand opening of this event. Mr. Yongmiao He reaffirmed support for national strategy, underscored the rise in antimony’s market value, and called for unity in strengthening China’s role in the global antimony landscape.

Finally, Mr. Lin Chen, the deputy general manager of Hunan Zhenqiang Antimony Industry Co., Ltd., the co-organizer of the conference, delivered a wonderful opening speech for this grand event. Mr. Lin Chen extended his warmest welcome to colleagues, experts, scholars, and partners from the global antimony industry, and expressed his sincere congratulations on the forum. Mr. Chen Lin emphasized how global energy transitions and carbon goals are creating new opportunities for antimony. Describing antimony as an "industrial seasoning" in vital sectors such as flame retardants, photovoltaics, catalysts, semiconductors, and defense, he called for reflection, innovation, and collective action toward sustainable growth.

After the speeches by the three distinguished guests, the conference officially transitioned to the on-site report session. The first report was delivered by Mr. Jianjun Gong, the Deputy General Manager of Hsikwuangshan Twinkling Star Antimony Co., Ltd. His insightful presentation, titled "Antimony Shining: The Phoenix-like Journey of Value Return," explored the dynamics of the antimony market under export controls, the adjustments in industrial structure, and price forecasts. The report provided an in-depth analysis across five key areas: the interpretation of export control policies, domestic and international antimony supply, the impact on the antimony industry and product structure, an analysis of antimony consumption, and the outlook for antimony product price trends under export control.

Following this, Mr. Jingquan Ouyang, the Deputy General Manager of Hunan Nonferrous Metal Industry Investment Group Chenzhou Mining and the General Manager of Hunan Anhua Zhazixi Mining Co., Ltd., delivered an excellent report titled "Strategic Considerations for Antimony Mines under New Circumstances." Mr. Ouyang analyzed the subject from four key perspectives: the current state of the antimony mining industry, the new challenges facing the antimony sector, countermeasures for antimony mining enterprises, and thoughts and recommendations for the development of these enterprises. In his report, Mr. Ouyang offered valuable insights for the future of antimony mining, emphasizing that, first, companies should acknowledge their weaknesses and, through policy guidance, market incentives, and their own technological innovation, foster comprehensive progress and upgrades in mining, beneficiation, and smelting technologies. Second, they should prioritize the accelerated iterative upgrading of equipment and facilities. Third, they should actively embrace strategies for safe and green development.

After the tea break, Mr. Hans Vercammen, Director of Campine and President of the International Antimony Association, delivered a compelling report titled "The Current Situation of the Western Antimony Market after China's Export Control" to the attendees. Due to China’s export control, the production of antimony trioxide in the EU surged by 20% year-on-year, reaching 23,700 tons in 2024. Mr. Vercammen explained that since the announcement of the restrictions, the price of antimony trioxide outside China has been rising, and supply has become very tight. At the same time, the EU does not produce metallic antimony domestically, with imports accounting for more than 50% of all tradable metals. In 2024, the EU's imports of metallic antimony increased by 9%, totaling 20,150 tons. Since China implemented export restrictions last August, the EU has ramped up its imports of metallic antimony from Tajikistan to offset the reduction in imports from China. Mr. Vercammen noted that EU imports of antimony trioxide from China have decreased significantly, with a shortfall of 2,000 to 2,500 tons per year. On a positive note, recycling efforts within the EU are on the rise, with an estimated recovery of over 5,000 tons of antimony trioxide. Additionally, Mr. Vercammen provided an analysis of the development and future prospects of antimony trioxide recycling in the European market.

Next, Mr. Hui Li, General Manager of Yantai Hengbang High Purity New Materials Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Shandong Hengbang Smelting Co., Ltd., delivered an insightful report and analysis on "Research and Innovative Applications of High Purity Antimony Preparation Technology." Mr. Li first highlighted the strategic importance of high-purity antimony, which is primarily used in fields such as silicon single crystal doping, chip doping, and infrared detection. It is a critical material in high-tech industries. With advancements in science and technology, the demand for high-quality, high-purity antimony in cutting-edge applications continues to rise. Mr. Li then provided an excellent analysis of the research into high-purity antimony preparation technology. Currently, the main industrial methods for producing high-purity antimony include the chlorination reduction method, vacuum distillation method, zone melting method, and direct pulling purification method. He also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of each smelting method, examining both the processes and theoretical aspects.

Finally, Mr. Liam Farley, CEO and founder of Xcelsior Capital, a UK-based company, delivered an insightful presentation on "Antimony Investment Outlook Analysis." Mr. Farley began by briefly introducing Xcelsior Capital and then provided an overview of the global critical minerals market. As of 2022, the global critical minerals market was valued at $320 billion, having doubled in size over the past five years. It is projected that over 300 new critical minerals mines (CMMs) will be required by 2035 to meet growing demand. He then discussed strategies for investing in critical minerals, separately outlining solution-oriented approaches and the investment outlook for antimony. Mr. Farley emphasized that antimony already has a mature market, with an annual trading volume of approximately 160,000 tons and a market value of around $2 billion. This figure is expected to grow substantially as new application areas are developed. Antimony demand is shifting toward future-oriented applications, which are strategically important for major industrial countries. This shift is expected to drive a 2.1-fold increase in demand over the next decade.

The meeting resumed promptly at 2:00 p.m. with Mr. Vitaly Butkeev, Sales Director of Russian GPM Chemical Raw Materials Co., Ltd., delivering an insightful speech on "Analysis of the Current Development Status of the Russian Antimony Market." Mr. Butkeev began by analyzing the current supply situation of antimony resources in Russia, noting that Russia ranks second in antimony reserves, only behind China. Russia's antimony reserves are approximately 350,000 tons, accounting for 23% of global reserves. He also provided an overview of the current development of antimony mines in Russia, highlighting key mines such as Udereyskoe, Sarylakh, Sentachan, and Solonechenskoye, and discussing the production status at each site. Mr. Butkeev then turned to the production and consumption landscape in Russia, offering an analysis of the country’s import and export situation. He forecasted that the output of antimony (raw ore and concentrate) in Russia would reach 344,030 tons in 2023 and 360,000 tons in 2024. Additionally, the export volume of antimony ore and concentrate from Russia in 2022, 2023, and 2024 is expected to be 49,300 tons, 342,000 tons, and 358,000 tons, respectively.

Subsequently, Mr. Yiquan Zheng, a senior engineer from Kingfa Science & Technology Co., Ltd., delivered an excellent presentation titled "The Application of Antimony Compounds in Modified Plastics." The report primarily focused on the current application status of antimony compounds in modified plastics, the limitations of their use in this context, the demand trends, and application suggestions. Antimony compounds are widely utilized across various industries, with a primary role as flame retardants in the modified plastics sector. The growth of the polymer industry and the development of flame retardant regulations have driven increased antimony usage. However, the impact of environmental concerns has placed restrictions on its application in polymers. The presentation further explored the sales trends in the modified plastics market, the mechanism by which antimony compounds act as flame retardants, and detailed the use of compounds like ATO (antimony trioxide), sodium antimonate, antimony halides, antimony chlorides, and antimony pentoxide in modified plastic products. Then, Mr. Yiquan Zheng discussed the demand trends for antimony trioxide in modified plastics, along with advancements in dust-free, ultrafine, and nano antimony trioxide. He also highlighted the progress in surface treatments for antimony trioxide and developments in low-antimony and antimony-free technologies for modified plastics.

Finally, Director Ting Zhao of the Global Mineral Resources Strategy Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences delivered an outstanding presentation on "Analysis of the Global Antimony Resources Situation." Director Zhao primarily focused on analyzing the historical consumption and consumption patterns of antimony resources, the global distribution and reserves of antimony mines, the global production and trade patterns of antimony, and the current status and potential of antimony resources in China. The report also included future supply forecasts. Additionally, the presentation delved into the price fluctuations of antimony in both the international and domestic markets in 2024. It examined the intensification of global competition for antimony resources, the underlying reasons for these price fluctuations, and the challenges facing China’s influence in the international market. Director Zhao emphasized that China’s cyclical influence on global production is significant, as global production is highly tied to China’s production capacity. Furthermore, China's policies—such as those related to environmental protection and resource conservation—along with changes in resource reserves, are core variables driving production fluctuations. The increasing scarcity of resources and emerging demands are pushing the need for industrial transformation. Finally, the report analyzed the progress of antimony mine production and new projects in regions including Southeast Asia, Tajikistan, Australia, and the United States.

After Director Zhao's report, the report session of the forum concluded. After a short tea break, the discussion session began. Hosted by Mr. Haisheng Zhang, the general manager of Beijing Golden Antimony Industry Co., Ltd., the session featured a distinguished group of experts, including:

Mr. Jiasheng Li, General Manager of Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star Antimony Co., Ltd.

Mr. Yongmiao He, Chairman of Hunan Chenzhou Mining Co., Ltd.

Mr. Jingquan Ouyang, Deputy General Manager of Hunan Chenzhou Mining Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Hunan Anhua Zhazixi Mining Co., Ltd.

Mr. Hans Vercammen, Director of Campine and President of the International Antimony Association

Mr. Wei Li, Deputy Minister of Supply Chain Management of Kingfa Science & Technology Co., Ltd.

Mr. Lin Chen, Deputy General Manager of Hunan Zhenqiang Antimony Co., Ltd.

The heated discussion covered several key topics, including:

The forecast for antimony product prices in 2024-2025

The current supply and demand situation and inventory of antimony ingots in domestic smelters, along with their future outlook

The development status of domestic antimony mining enterprises

The challenges faced by the terminal application fields of antimony trioxide

The impact of export control policies on the international market

The 6:00 p.m. conference appreciation dinner officially began, and the venue was filled with distinguished guests, creating an atmosphere full of excitement. Guests were toasting and enjoying themselves as the event unfolded. To add to the celebration, Asia Metal Network had arranged a special performance of traditional Fujian ethnic dances and songs, bringing good fortune to all in attendance. Amid the laughter, clinking glasses, and vibrant performance, the 11th Antimony Forum came to a successful conclusion. Attendees congratulated one another on the grand success of the conference. The forum provided valuable insights into the latest industry trends and development directions, offered practical suggestions for future growth, and introduced key domestic and international upstream and downstream resources. It served as a platform for open communication between suppliers and demanders. Through the in-depth exchanges among participants, the forum fostered a spirit of reflection on past experiences while inspiring a forward-looking vision for the future. It is certain that these exchanges will help seize new opportunities and pave the way for progress. The forum has strengthened consensus on the prosperous development of the antimony industry, enhanced confidence in the market, and reinforced industry cohesion. These efforts will contribute to the healthy and sustainable growth of the antimony sector.

Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate the "12th Antimony Summit" next year, where even more new and returning customers from home and abroad will come together. See you next year!