Chinese metallurgical grade tantalum oxide price on the decrease
2015-06-18 08:58:21 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 18 Jun 15 - The demand from downstream industry from both home and abroad keeps dim, so Chinese metallurgical grade tantalum oxide market remains soft at present. Besides, the prevailing prices for metallurgical grade tantalum oxide went down to RMB1,380-1,430/kg (USD225-234/kg), down by RMB20/kg (USD3/kg) from those of last week. Most smelters have difficulty in concluding deals and it is predicted that the prices will continue to decline in the near term.
One producer from South China with a monthly output of about 3t shared with Asian Metal that Chinese metallurgical grade tantalum oxide market keeps dim due to the weak demand from both the cemented carbide and the super alloy industry. “The market almost sees no conclusions for the time being. If there are a few deals, the amount is small,” said the source, noting that the plant mainly produce tantalum oxide for others and they don’t have stocks by themselves.
According to the source, the prevailing quotations for metallurgical grade tantalum oxide decreased to RMB1,380-1,430/kg (USD225-234/kg), down by RMB20/kg (USD3/kg) from those of last week. The tantalum oxide market will not pick up without support from downstream demand.
Another South China-based producer with a monthly output of about 2t also said that the Chinese metallurgical grade tantalum oxide market shows no signs of reviving. The mainstream prices for metallurgical grade tantalum oxide slip to RMB1,380-1,430/kg (USD225-234/kg), with a decrease of RMB20/kg (USD3/kg) from those of last week. The source just holds one ton of stocks on hand and has no intention to sell if the prices are lower than RMB1,400/kg (USD229/kg) in the near future.
The source also noted that some suppliers lowered their offers for tagged tantalum concentrate to USD75/lb CIF China. However, current tantalum oxide prices are lower than the production cost in theory. As a result, domestic smelters will have a difficult time and it is hard to make profits.
One producer from South China with a monthly output of about 3t shared with Asian Metal that Chinese metallurgical grade tantalum oxide market keeps dim due to the weak demand from both the cemented carbide and the super alloy industry. “The market almost sees no conclusions for the time being. If there are a few deals, the amount is small,” said the source, noting that the plant mainly produce tantalum oxide for others and they don’t have stocks by themselves.
According to the source, the prevailing quotations for metallurgical grade tantalum oxide decreased to RMB1,380-1,430/kg (USD225-234/kg), down by RMB20/kg (USD3/kg) from those of last week. The tantalum oxide market will not pick up without support from downstream demand.
Another South China-based producer with a monthly output of about 2t also said that the Chinese metallurgical grade tantalum oxide market shows no signs of reviving. The mainstream prices for metallurgical grade tantalum oxide slip to RMB1,380-1,430/kg (USD225-234/kg), with a decrease of RMB20/kg (USD3/kg) from those of last week. The source just holds one ton of stocks on hand and has no intention to sell if the prices are lower than RMB1,400/kg (USD229/kg) in the near future.
The source also noted that some suppliers lowered their offers for tagged tantalum concentrate to USD75/lb CIF China. However, current tantalum oxide prices are lower than the production cost in theory. As a result, domestic smelters will have a difficult time and it is hard to make profits.
Tantalum Pentoxide 99.5%min EXW China
Unit:RMB/kg
China tantalum oxide producers' output statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
