European antimony trioxide prices increase

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 20 Feb 08 – As Chinese suppliers are not in normal production, European market participants received higher offers from China, and they think supply may be tight in the near future.
A European trader disclosed that the latest offer of not branded99.5%min antimony trioxide he received from China was in the range of USD5,400-5,500/t CIF Rotterdam. "The price increased by another USD200/t compared to the offers we received before the Chinese New Year," said the trader and added that the consumers are not happy with the higher prices.
He holds that the current antimony trioxide market is unclear that they do not know if they should accept the higher prices because the price could go either direction in the near future. He believes some consumers have bought material before the Chinese New Year so they are covered for February, but market should be in tight supply in March and April because the Chinese suppliers are still not in normal production.
"I have material bought at cheaper prices, but I also need to think about the replacement cost that I have long-term contract to fulfill," said the source.
An official from a consumer confirmed the higher offers of 99.5%min antimony trioxide at USD5,400/t CIF main European ports. “My suppliers also told me that they have problem with production at the time, and
there will not be much material shipped to Europe before March,” the source revealed to Asian Metal, and he believes supply is going to be tight by the middle and end of March.
The official disclosed that he still has stock to cover for the February, and may stretch until the middle of March. He holds that price may stabilize at around USD5,300-5,500/t CIF or in warehouse Rotterdam, because the two major producers in Europe will try to keep the antimony trioxide price stable.