Construction, Chemicals

• Domestic European, US antimony trioxide markets show small price shifts 20 February 2019

  The European and US antimony trioxide markets showed minimal price adjustments this week while prices in the rest of the world remained unchanged. Read More

• Ciner soda ash production rebounds in Q4 after two difficult quarters 20 February 2019

  Low-grade ore and unplanned maintenance problems harmed production in the second and third quarters of 2018, but Ciner Resources produced a record amount of soda ash in the October-December quarter. Read More

• European consumers run successful tests on first material from Canada Fluorspar 19 February 2019

  Three European producers of hydrofluoric acid (HF) have reported successful tests of material from Canada Fluorspar, with the size of the test parcel indicating that the company is operating at a rate of 30%. Read More

• Orocobre 2018 lithium production unchanged vs last year on rainfall disruption 19 February 2019

  Brine dilution due to rainfall kept production at Orocobre’s Olaroz lithium facility similar year on year, although ramp-ups continue at the Argentine site. Read More

• Livent will resume lithium carbonate contract talks with Nemaska 19 February 2019

  Producer Livent has announced its intention to resume the lithium carbonate contract arbitration process with miner Nemaska that was started in July 2018. Read More

• Little room for established lithium producers to ignore China 18 February 2019

  Ahead of Fastmarkets’ Battery Materials 2019 conference in Shanghai, our lithium reporters talk about the hottest topics in the lithium industry in China and the Asian market. Read More

• Iodine price range continues to widen downward 18 February 2019

  The low end of the spot price range for iodine has fallen for the third time in a month, with Japanese producers reporting low sales prices. Read More

• Image ramps up mineral sands ahead of schedule 18 February 2019

  Image Resources completed a ramp-up project at the Bonnanarring mineral sands project after two months rather than the originally anticipated six. Read More

• Imerys enjoys positive FY but Q4 'challenging'; will focus on cost control in 2019 18 February 2019

  The company, which sees volatile market conditions continuing this year, will focus on cash generation and cost control to reduce business risk. Read More

• PRICING NOTICE: Proposal to discontinue one fluorspar price 15 February 2019

  Fastmarkets IM is opening a market consultation to seek feedback on its proposal to discontinue one fluorspar price. Read More

• Nemaska needs additional $282 mln to complete Canadian lithium project 15 February 2019

  Nemaska Lithium will require an additional C$375 million to cover the installation and indirect costs of a new lithium mine and processing plant in Quebec. Read More

• Acidspar supplies resume in China as workers gradually return from holiday 15 February 2019

  Every year the fluorspar market queries what the supply situation in China will look like after the Lunar New Year, and 2019 is no different. Two sources have reported offers and sales of good volumes of material, indicating that supplies are available. Read More

• EV battery boom drives up Livent’s revenue, income 13 February 2019

  Lithium producer Livent's revenue and income rose year on year supported by growth in global sales of electric vehicles. Read More

• Tata ‘must pay’ $170m for soda ash plant, Kenyan local government says 12 February 2019

  A local government in Kenya says that Tata Chemicals has defaulted on payments for land rates for several years, with local media reporting that the resulting dispute could lead to a soda ash facility being closed. Read More

• Rusal Q4 profits hit by US sanctions but aluminium production stable 11 February 2019

  Aluminium producer UC Rusal’s profits from aluminium sales in the fourth quarter of 2018 were down by 16% year on year because the company was operating under trading sanctions imposed by the United States, according to an earnings statement published on Friday February 8. Read More

• Recent iodine price increases hurting derivatives producers 08 February 2019

  Iodine derivative prices have lagged behind the latest price increases in iodine itself, which is hitting margins at derivatives producers. Read More

• Calcined alumina contract prices settle higher, participants expect softening in H2 08 February 2019

  Markets saw a second consecutive round of contract price increases for calcined alumina material, but a change in feedstock costs dynamics and availability could soften the market later in the year. Read More

• US flat glass sales rebound in 2018 amid improved production; soda ash market stays tight 08 February 2019

  US flat glass sales largely rebounded last year and producers are forecasting another positive year for sales in 2019, while soda ash supply tightness continues. Read More

• Noranda eyes further M&A activity in chemical alumina space, creates standalone division 01 February 2019

  The newly launched business for specialty alumina, NICHE, will incorporate Gramercy’s alumina hydrate operation and ARC’s white fused alumina business in France; the company does not rule out further acquisitions in future. Read More

• PRICING NOTICE: Amendment to fluorspar pricing frequency 01 February 2019

  Fastmarkets IM is making amendments to the specifications of five of its fluorspar prices. Read More

• Going against the grain: Titanium and zirconium supply and demand IM February 2019 Issue

  Cameron Perks, IM correspondent, looks back at the events that shaped the titanium and zirconium industries in 2018 and looks forward to what may play out in 2019 Read More

• Neometals lithium spodumene production down 15% in Oct-Dec 2018 30 January 2019

  Australia’s Neometals produced 15.33% less lithium spodumene in the final quarter of last year despite selling more material. Read More

• Chromite prices fall on quiet demand, bearish sentiment 30 January 2019

  Both chemical and foundry grade prices adjusted downward on thin trading and reticence from buyers about engaging amid bearish market conditions. Read More

• Galaxy’s spodumene production, sales up in Q4 29 January 2019

  Galaxy Resources produced and sold more lithium spodumene in the fourth quarter of 2018 but also reported lower average cash margins. Read More

• Pilbara Minerals' spodumene output rises three-fold at Pilgangoora mine 28 January 2019

  Pilbara Minerals reached a strong production ramp-up at its Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum mine in Western Australia. Read More

• Chinese acidspar prices soften again on falling domestic end-market demand 25 January 2019

  Weakening end-market demand for acid-grade fluorspar in China has affected the export price despite supply remaining tight. Read More