European antimony trioxide price tend to stabilize

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 20 Jul 07 – This week, antimony market in Europe continue to be high; however, the price is tend to stabilize, comparing to the chaos last week. Antimony ingot is offered in the range of USD5,500-5,700/t CIF Rotterdam and antimony trioxide in range of USD4,900-5,100/t CIF Rotterdam.
An Italian trader revealed to Asian Metal that he received an offer of antimony trioxide from his Chinese supplier at USD4,940/t CIF Rotterdam for the none-brand 99.5%min material, and Twinkling Star material close to USD5,100/t CIF Rotterdam. “Price is definitely coming up, compare to two weeks ago.” The price was around USD4,600/t CIF Rotterdam at the beginning of July.
However, market remained quiet. The trader had not received any inquiries in the last three weeks, and he will not purchase from Chinese suppliers when there is no demand from his customers. “This is vacation time.” The trader will go on holiday himself from next week.
A UK trader also received offers of 99.5%min antimony trioxide at close to USD5,000/t CIF Rotterdam. According to him, the suppliers were reluctant to make offers recently after the mines and metal productions in Hunan. “Last week, there were almost no offers, and now several offers at the mentioned price.” He thinks price of antimony trioxide will be stable at the current price for one or two weeks before there is any new change.
The source believes there are two reasons for the price to go up. First, Chinese government removed the export rebate of antimony trioxide from July 1st, and second, the closure of antimony mines and metal productions in Hunan. “But it is hard to tell where the direction will the market go.”
If the Hunan productions will remain closed for longer period of time, the price will go up further. Nevertheless, demand is very slow at the time, so it is also possible for the price to drop due to the weak demand.