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December 2016
23 December 2016
Trading activities wind down this week ahead of the festive season with most industrial minerals prices unchanged, although chromite prices increased again as buyers are keen to secure 2017 supplies.
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16 December 2016
The massive fused alumina production shutdown in China has lifted spot prices and the unexpected wave of output disruption has caught buyers by surprise, as many have not finalised supply contracts for Q1 2017 deliveries.
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15 December 2016
Industrial Minerals proposes to change the frequency of refractory-grade bauxite and fused alumina price assessments.
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15 December 2016
Antimony trioxide prices drop, as do iodine prices; lithium deals for 2017 approach closure; foundry chromite spot market widens; raw material costs lift WFA prices; graphite suppliers talk 2017 contracts; Cristal to increase TiO2 prices; industry concerned over China scrapping magnesia quota.
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09 December 2016
Anti-pollution related production shutdown in China has yet to impact spot bauxite and brown fused alumina prices, while iodine prices remained low as producers undercut offer to battle for market shares.
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09 December 2016
Some provincial governments in China have taken extreme measures to combat heightening air pollution levels in the region by enforcing additional production shut downs in Henan and Shanxi. Although many buyers have yet to be hit by this latest output disruption, many are expecting price hikes in refractory minerals due to the supply shortage.
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02 December 2016
Magnesia prices unchanged amid concerns of further decline, chemical-grade chromite rises and lithium annual 2017 contracts started to conclude following lengthy negotiations. Bauxite, fused alumina prices held unchanged despite more anticipated production shutdowns.
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02 December 2016
More refractory minerals production shutdowns are anticipated amid warning of heightening pollution level around Beijing. Despite the supply disruption, spot prices of bauxite and brown fused alumina remained unchanged amid weak demand.
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November 2016
28 November 2016
The publication of Industrial Minerals’ price assessments will be affected by the Christmas holidays.
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25 November 2016
White fused alumina spot prices rose amid higher raw material cost, but increases in China are steeper compared with elsewhere as continuing environmental pressure restricted output amid stronger domestic demand.
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07 November 2016
Industrial Minerals proposes to delist all Shanxi-origin bauxite specifications as of next week, and replace the listings with four new grades.
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04 November 2016
Titanium dioxide producers continue to look for price increases while graphite, bauxite and fused alumina prices held unchanged and lithium carbonate and hydroxide 2017 contract offers show a wide range.
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04 November 2016
Despite weak seasonal demand, Chinese-origin bauxite and fused alumina prices have held unchanged so far in November as higher productions costs continue to support the market.
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October 2016
21 October 2016
Fluorspar prices stable, iodine rates falling while chromite prices continues to appreciate.
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14 October 2016
Chinese-origin bauxite and fused alumina spot prices gained and chemical grade chromite tags rose on tight supply. while metspar prices fell and 2017 lithium contract talks continued to stall.
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14 October 2016
Chinese-origin fused alumina and bauxite spot prices gained as raw material and transportation costs rise. While many buyers are reluctant to accept the increase, some producers warned that the uptrend could continue amid supply tightness.
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07 October 2016
TiO2 prices increases in the US and China, antimony trioxide price drop following a spike in September, iodine value fell, chromite price increase while lithium annual contract talks stall. Graphite, bauxite and brown fused alumina price flat week-on-week.
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07 October 2016
More stringent environmental regulations restricting production in China have failed to lift Chinese bauxite and brown fused alumina spot prices. Trading remained quiet amid the Golden Week holiday where businesses in China were shut between 1-9 October.
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September 2016
30 September 2016
Industrial Minerals proposes to revise all Shanxi-origin bauxite specifications at the end of October.
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27 September 2016
North America and Asia to drive growth; Regulation and environment key factors; Construction and electronics main markets
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02 September 2016
Antimony Trioxide prices spiked over the past two months as the Chinese government further restrict export quota, while chromite price held firm amid strong demand and crimped mined output. Similarly in ilmenite, supply demand fundamental has lifted the TiO2 feedstock prices. Meanwhile, unfavourable exchange rate movements pulled Chinese lithium spot prices lower and increased Chinese supply put pressure on brown fused alumina.
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02 September 2016
Chinese-origin brown fused alumina spot prices fell a week after production restarted in Henan province, as rising supply weighed on the weak demand.
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August 2016
26 August 2016
Trading remains quiet in iodine and graphite as prices edge down further, while some fused alumina production is resuming in China following weeks of shutdown. Market activities are expected to increase in the coming weeks as the European holiday season comes to an end.
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25 August 2016
Some white and brown fused alumina producers in Henan have received the green light to restart production but uncertainty remains on whether there would be more disruption in output in September due to renewed anti-pollution efforts.
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12 August 2016
Producer reported higher bromine prices in Q2; more pigments producers announced TiO2 price increases; lithium 2017 contract talks to begin and brown fused alumina prices tick higher.
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11 August 2016
Chinese-origin brown fused alumina spot prices have increased due to supply shortages as production clamp downs continue amid intensifying anti-pollution checks in the country. Although many suppliers have been selling from existing inventories, stock is depleting.
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04 August 2016
Chinese-origin white fused alumina output has been hit by stricter environmental checks in China but weak refractory demand has limited gains in the mineral’s prices. Reduced production in China could lift trades elsewhere as buyers in Europe seek alternative supply.
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July 2016
29 July 2016
Existing inventory in brown fused alumina prevented prices gain amid supply tightness; Chinese TiO2 producers announced eighth price hike; fertiliser prices expected to remain low in 2016 while fluorspar prices held at five-year lows as supply far outstripped demand.
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28 July 2016
The recent stricter anti-pollution checks in brown fused alumina producing regions in China are showing no sign of easing with production continuing to be impacted. While prices have not gained this week on tighter supply, market participants said it could rise when existing stock runs out.
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22 July 2016
Supply disruption in China fails to lift bauxite and brown fused alumina prices; chromite sees an increase in buying activity in China; Indian potash contracts signed at lower y-o-y levels.
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22 July 2016
Chinese-origin brown fused alumina prices held unchanged despite a looming supply tightness due to stricter anti-pollution checks shutting down production in recent months.
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22 July 2016
Refractory grade bauxite prices were unchanged despite supply disruption caused by heavy rain storm and flooding in China over the past fortnight. If the inclement weather persists, it may impact production and could lift prices in the coming week.
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08 July 2016
Fluorspar prices fail to rebound due to weak demand; Chinese TiO2 operators signal yet another price hike; bauxite prices slow down amid persistent issues in consumption; Chinese silicon carbide export values point to lower prices; lithium prices see a degree of stabilisation.
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April 2016
15 April 2016
Soda ash prices jump 30% as supply tightens; price rally for titanium dioxide, with Chinese prices seeing their biggest jump yet; bauxite producers turn to profitable non-met grades.
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08 April 2016
While Chinese refractories companies are licking their wounds after a bearish and bloody 2015, battery producers are reveling in increased profit margins as demand ticks up. TiO2 markets look set to recover also - but will this be passed onto mineral sands producers?