Chinese germanium market keeps strong
2006-07-11 13:17:56 【Print】
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 11 Jul 06 - Chinese germanium market moves at high levels, with consumers accepting increased prices to feed productions. Reflecting that supply remains as tight as before, participants believe that the market may keep moving strongly.
"We concluded 100kg of germanium 99.999%min at USD870/kg to a Japanese consumer ten days ago," said an official from a trading company. "Japanese end-users can accept the increased price as they have to purchase for production."
The company also received some inquiries for germanium dioxide from Japanese consumers, but the two sides have difficulties striking balances on the price, with the company offering at USD630-640/kg but Japanese wanting to purchase at USD610/kg at most.
According to the source, some domestic smelter quotes as high as RMB6,500/kg [USD778/kg] for germanium dioxide and RMB8,000-8,200/kg [USD889-911/kg] for germanium metal, due to few products to meet demand of buyers.
With little hope for the supply shortage to be eased in the near future, the source believes that the price will keep going up.
Smelters and traders corrobated that they find it difficult to replenish raw materials or germanium products, holding that the market will continue to ascend.
