Tight supply for gallium
2005-03-08 09:18:35 【Print】
BEIJING(Asian Metal) 8-Mar-2005 Market insiders reported that in spot market, 4N gallium is quite limited at present for most producers have concluded all their output of this month.
"All of our output of this month, even that of next month, has been booked, "said a major gallium producer in China, adding, "We are alternatively accepting new orders at the moment."
The source disclosed that it is hard for buyers to get material in free market at rmb3,200/kg, and it quotes rmb3,300/kg for domestic sale and $330/kg for export presently. According to the source, with a positive expectation of future market, it plans to produce 20 tonnes this year, while it was only 15 tonnes last year.
Another high purity gallium smelter which uses 4N gallium to produce 6N gallium confirmed that it is hard to get material recently. "I think gallium market would be very delightful with a price rise in the following weeks. As far as I know, most 4N gallium producers have sold out their material of this month at high prices, about $320/kg. I feel the price would increase further in view of the tight supply, "said a source from the smelter.
He disclosed that its 6N gallium also sells well recently. "We quote for our 6N gallium metal at rmb4,500/kg, at least 100kg per batch, "revealed the source. According to him, its 6N gallium has succeeded in entering Japanese market. Despite the bright market, it would keep its 15 tonnes output rather than expanding it.
Presently, the prevailing price for 4N gallium metal ranges between rmb3,200/kg and rmb3,300/kg for domestic and $320-330/kg for export.
"All of our output of this month, even that of next month, has been booked, "said a major gallium producer in China, adding, "We are alternatively accepting new orders at the moment."
The source disclosed that it is hard for buyers to get material in free market at rmb3,200/kg, and it quotes rmb3,300/kg for domestic sale and $330/kg for export presently. According to the source, with a positive expectation of future market, it plans to produce 20 tonnes this year, while it was only 15 tonnes last year.
Another high purity gallium smelter which uses 4N gallium to produce 6N gallium confirmed that it is hard to get material recently. "I think gallium market would be very delightful with a price rise in the following weeks. As far as I know, most 4N gallium producers have sold out their material of this month at high prices, about $320/kg. I feel the price would increase further in view of the tight supply, "said a source from the smelter.
He disclosed that its 6N gallium also sells well recently. "We quote for our 6N gallium metal at rmb4,500/kg, at least 100kg per batch, "revealed the source. According to him, its 6N gallium has succeeded in entering Japanese market. Despite the bright market, it would keep its 15 tonnes output rather than expanding it.
Presently, the prevailing price for 4N gallium metal ranges between rmb3,200/kg and rmb3,300/kg for domestic and $320-330/kg for export.
