Talk from the Top: “Foundries are interested in a consistent product”
July 2012
by Jessica Roberts
Chromite producer Oregon Resources enters foundry sands market, Wayne Knott, chief operating officer, tells IM of the market, the challenges, and an outlook for the future.
Keywords: Oregan Resources, chromite, foundry, zircon, garnet, ilmenite, Sphericrome
Oregon Resources brought Coos Bay into production in early 2011. How has the market responded to a new chromite supplier?
The unique chromite product has primarily been targeted at the zircon replacement market in the first year. This launch has been successful with regards to performance and value creation. In the tight economic conditions, foundries are appreciating that SpheriChrome can be utilised in place of both chromite and zircon applications. Foundries are reporting improved casting qualities, a reduced scrap rate and significant savings with SpheriChrome. Have SpheriChrome prices been able to withstand lower chromite price trends?ORC’s strategy is to not to compete directly with other chromite products on price or volume, but to position itself as a competitive option in the foundry as a replacement for zircon. For example, in our domestic market, SpheriChrome pricing has not changed since the date of last year’s opening whilst zircon is still...
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