European  ammonium paratungstate prices (APT prices)  stable, downstream market remains quiet.

European APT offering prices have held firm between USD390-395mtu in warehouse Rotterdam this week, and yet despite the strong signals from China suggesting that APT export prices will continue to increase above USD410mtu CIF Rotterdam in the weeks ahead, downstream users in Europe continue to hold a wait-and-see approach, and have so far resisted offers above USD395mtu in warehouse Rotterdam as of Tuesday.

European sources still largely expect APT prices to edge up above USD400mtu in the coming weeks, but feel that well stocked downstream users are in no rush to build up the market.

You can visit the following links for more information about  ammonium paratungstate market(APTmarket).

Tungsten Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
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In terms of tantalum’s tradability, Smith noted that, as it was not traded openly,  tantalum  market has always been subject to large swings in over- and undersupply. Tantalum prices had recently demonstrated volatility, increasing by over 300% to around $550/kg in 2011.

Most tantalum was sold under long-term contracts rather than through the spot market, which had traditionally resulted in pre-emptive buying. As a result, prices did not always immediately reflect the supply/demand deficit.

“As a result, gauging a long-term stable price is challenging, but if we assume a conservative steady growth rate of consumer electronics in the coming years of around 4%, then the market will be perfectly balanced.

Growth above 4% will result in a supply shortage by next year and we, therefore, assert that prices have now bottomed out and should start reflecting our expectation of a market deficit,” said Smith.
 

Tungsten Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
Tel.: 86 592 5129696; Fax: 86 592 5129797
Email: sales@chinatungsten.com
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Similar to the supply of tungsten, China controlled more than 90% of REE production, accounting for the majority of the country’s consumption and had, since the 1980s, become the sole provider of global rare earths.

Smith noted that the country had, since 2010, reduced its export quota by 40% to preserve local demand, as well as encourage local downstream production.

It had further promoted increased production efficiencies through the imposed mergers of smaller companies with larger companies in an effort to create ‘mega corporations’ with increased control over production and prices.

“In response to China’s strategy, we have observed a coordination of legal action, with Europe, the US and Japan bringing China before the World Trade Organisation.
 

Tungsten Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
Tel.: 86 592 5129696; Fax: 86 592 5129797
Email: sales@chinatungsten.com
Tungsten Picture Center: http://picture.chinatungsten.com
Tungsten Video Center: http://v.chinatungsten.com
Tungsten News & Tungsten Prices, 3G Version: http://3g.chinatungsten.com

While also considered a critical metal, Smith observed that the tantalum market differed from the tungsten market in that its reserves were more widely dispersed, despite over 50% of the world’s tantalum supply having originated from Africa.

“The risk to the tantalum market is that 16% of supply is estimated to originate from artisanal mining activities, while a further 23% originates from a conflict area,” she noted.

As with a number of minor metals, new technologies, leading to the miniaturisation of electronic devices, had resulted in increased use of tantalum.

Smith commented that tantalum-based capacitors, in particular, were on the rise and were increasingly used in automotive electronics, mobile phones, personal computers and wireless devices.

“Capacitators now account for 60% of tantalum consumption, compared with 51% in 2004. While growth in tantalum demand has been relatively lacklustre over the past 15 years or so.

 Compared to other metals in the electronics sector, this application could lead to three-fold growth from 2007 levels,” Smith said.
 

Tungsten Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
Tel.: 86 592 5129696; Fax: 86 592 5129797
Email: sales@chinatungsten.com
Tungsten Picture Center: http://picture.chinatungsten.com
Tungsten Video Center: http://v.chinatungsten.com
Tungsten News & Tungsten Prices, 3G Version: http://3g.chinatungsten.com