China antimony up on tight supply

Print this page Posted on : 05-28-2009 by recycleinme.com

Chinese antimony prices rose 2 per cent in eastern China this week after smelters in the world's largest producer tightened supplies to the spot market, traders and analysts said. Prices of the metal, used to fireproof fibres and plastics, rose 500 yuan to a range of between 31,000 yuan and 32,500 yuan ($4,539-$4,758) a tonne. ''Smelters are lowering their supplies slightly these days,'' a Shanghai-based trader said, but added he did not expect any further price rises in the coming weeks as demand weakens. China produces about 90,000 tonnes or 90 per cent of the world's antimony, which is also used in the manufacture of paints, ceramics and enamels.

Source : Business Line