Industrial Minerals

Refractories

European consumers run successful tests on first material from Canada Fluorspar

Tuesday, 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%.
SPMP’s antimony project in Oman faces new delays

Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Problems with the refractory lining will take several weeks to resolve, part-owner Tri-Star Resources said, pushing back the start-up date at the Sohar-based project again.
Argentina's crude steel output up 8% in January

Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Crude steel production in Argentina rose by 7.88% year on year in January 2019, according to figures released by national steel association Acero Argentino on Monday February 18.
Image ramps up mineral sands ahead of schedule

Monday, 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.

Agrimarkets

Iodine price range continues to widen downward

Monday, 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.
Trade log February 2019: Lithium

Friday, 15 February 2019

Trade log for battery-grade lithium carbonate in China including trades, bids and offers reported to Fastmarkets.
EV battery boom drives up Livent’s revenue, income

Wednesday, 13 February 2019

Lithium producer Livent's revenue and income rose year on year supported by growth in global sales of electric vehicles.
Recent iodine price increases hurting derivatives producers

Friday, 08 February 2019

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

Ceramics-Glass

Ciner soda ash production rebounds in Q4 after two difficult quarters

Wednesday, 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.
Orocobre 2018 lithium production unchanged vs last year on rainfall disruption

Tuesday, 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.
Livent will resume lithium carbonate contract talks with Nemaska

Tuesday, 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.
Little room for established lithium producers to ignore China

Monday, 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.

Construction-Chemicals

Domestic European, US antimony trioxide markets show small price shifts

Wednesday, 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.
Ciner soda ash production rebounds in Q4 after two difficult quarters

Wednesday, 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.
European consumers run successful tests on first material from Canada Fluorspar

Tuesday, 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%.
Orocobre 2018 lithium production unchanged vs last year on rainfall disruption

Tuesday, 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.

Energy

China’s NEV output up 113% year-on-year in January 2019

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

China’s output and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) has stayed on an uptrend in early 2019. China’s lithium prices were steady in a quiet market, however, with most major buyers taking a watchful attitude to the market.
Livent will resume lithium carbonate contract talks with Nemaska

Tuesday, 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.
Little room for established lithium producers to ignore China

Monday, 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.
European car sales down again in January but revival expected

Monday, 18 February 2019

The number of new passenger car registrations in the EU decreased by 4.62% year-on-year in January 2019, making it the fifth consecutive month of decline, the European Automotive Manufacturers Assn (ACEA) said on Friday February 15.

Processing

Domestic European, US antimony trioxide markets show small price shifts

Wednesday, 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.
Imerys enjoys positive FY but Q4 'challenging'; will focus on cost control in 2019

Monday, 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.
Calcined alumina contract prices settle higher, participants expect softening in H2

Friday, 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.
PRICING NOTICE: Change in frequency of silicon carbide market assessments

Monday, 04 February 2019

Fastmarkets is changing the frequency of its silicon carbide price market assessments to monthly, following a consultation with the market.

Logistics

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

Monday, 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.
Calcined alumina contract prices settle higher, participants expect softening in H2

Friday, 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.
Noranda eyes further M&A activity in chemical alumina space, creates standalone division

Friday, 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.
Chromite prices fall on quiet demand, bearish sentiment

Wednesday, 30 January 2019

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

Regulation

Domestic European, US antimony trioxide markets show small price shifts

Wednesday, 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.
China’s NEV output up 113% year-on-year in January 2019

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

China’s output and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) has stayed on an uptrend in early 2019. China’s lithium prices were steady in a quiet market, however, with most major buyers taking a watchful attitude to the market.
Ciner soda ash production rebounds in Q4 after two difficult quarters

Wednesday, 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.
Venator reports Q4 2018 loss as TiO2 sales tumble

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

Titanium dioxide sales were hit by destocking in Europe and China, tipping Venator’s October-December earnings into a $69 million loss.

Oilfield

PRICING NOTICE: Fastmarkets IM Christmas schedule

Friday, 14 December 2018

Certain Fastmarkets prices will be rolled over between December 25 and January 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
US drilling activity hits three-year high

Thursday, 29 March 2018

The US rig count is at a three-year high, with demand painting a positive picture for oilfield mineral pricing.

Sector News

Refractories

Agrimarkets

Ceramics-Glass

Construction-Chemicals

Energy

Processing

Logistics

Regulation

Oilfield