Antimony trioxide market waiting for higher prices

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 18 Oct 06 – Although antimony ingot prices have been on the rise since early October, antimony trioxide market seems to lag behind. However, antimony trioxide producers will have to raise offers given higher production cost caused by increased price of antimony ingot.
Despite the bullish antimony ingot market, the antimony trioxide market failed to pick up in Oct with prices still hovering at a low level, a Hunan-based producer reported to Asian Metal today.
The smelter has raised the offers of antimony trioxide grading 99.8% to RMB38,000/t (USD4,804/t) ex works without receiving any reply from domestic buyers. “Buyers still want to purchase at around RMB36,000/t(USD4,551/t) ex works,” said the source.
Meanwhile, the source revealed that the most recent offer received for antimony ingot was as high as 39,000/t(USD4,930/t) VAT excluded. “Under such a condition, we’ll have to increase the antimony trioxide price.”
Another Guangdong-based trader confirmed that the antimony trioxide market has not seen any improvement since the end of the National Day holiday. “We didn’t conclude any export deals so far in Oct. The low price left us with no profit at all,” said the source.
Meanwhile, market sources reported that products with Twinkling Star brand name are being offered at around USD4,600-4,650/t FOB.