Japanese sources: Little demand for indium
2005-08-11 09:33:21 【Print】
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 11 Aug 05 - Indium demand from Japan is not so high as Chinese smelters expect, Japanese sources reported to Asian Metal.
"Major Japanese consumers haven't started purchasing yet," an official from a Japanese user said.
Besides, LCD and plasma televisions consumption has seen no increase recently, so indium demand has not changed significantly.
According to the source, the price rise may be prompted by Chinese traders, as Japanese buyers do not expect to purchase at high prices.
"Japanese buyers haven't entered the spot market," an official from a Japanese trading company said.
The company has not received many inquiries from end-users, who still have indium stockpiles. Furthermore, European clients have not started to purchase yet, as most of them are on holidays. As a result, the price rise is caused by Chinese traders, said the source.
According to the source, Japanese consumers' indium supply mainly comes from recycling wasted targets and long-term contracts. Only a small fraction of the supply comes from the spot market.
From September, major indium consumers will start to conclude 2006 contracts, which may stimulate the price to keep climbing. However, 2006 demand will see little change, compared with 2005. Indium demand may change in 2007, because of drives coming from Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, said the source.
