European antimony trioxide price high but market slow

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 9 May 08 – As antimony metal price keeps firming in the Chinese domestic and export market, antimony trioxide market is following the metal market that price is increasing. However, market participants reported to Asian Metal that the demand is slow in Europe.
A European trader claimed antimony trioxide market to be very quiet at the moment. "There is no inquiries from customers because of the high prices," said the trader and disclosed that the offers from China he received for 99.5%min antimony trioxide is at around USD5,600/t CIF Rotterdam, and Twinkling star material was offered at USD5,700/t CIF Rotterdam.
Another European trader confirmed the 99.5%min regular grade none brand named antimony trioxide price at above USD5,500/t in warehouse Rotterdam, and Twinkling Star material is offered at USD5,700/t CIF Rotterdam. He sold less than 10t at USD5,600/t in warehouse Rotterdam to a customer.
According to him, the demand of antimony trioxide from his customers had dropped dramatically in the first four months of 2008, and he sees the consumers are buying material when they are on their last kilogram of the reserves. "Before they buy when they still have 1-2t inventories, but now they only buy when they are completely out of material and hope price would drop this way."
He holds that the price will hold firm in the coming weeks. "The availability is getting better, there are materials available now, but no cheap materials."