Kristin Miller, Author at St. Louis Group

Chinese antimony prices poised to hold firm after gains

China’s antimony market is widely expected to hold steady in a narrow range in the near-term, after pushing higher in the past month, as supply shortages may offset flat consumer demand.

Prices for 99.85pc grade antimony metal were assessed higher by 1,000 yuan/t ($149/t) from 5 July to Yn83,000-84,000/t ex-works on 7 July, with the export range for 99.65pc grade metal rising by $200/t to $13,300-13,600/t over the same period.

Metal producers are maintaining low run rates because of limited availability for concentrate feedstock. They are being cautious about selling too much inventory at the current price, in anticipation of a further rise in prices if demand from the solar industry increases and from the flame retardant industry if it recovers from the global economic slowdown.

“We are not eager to sell below Yn84,000/t for 99.85pc grade metal as we cannot replenish cheaper concentrate feedstock now,” a metal smelter in the main production hub of Lengshuijiang city told Argus. “The current situation is a bit tricky as it is not easy to find metal, but it is not easy to sell metal either,” a second metal producer in Lengshuijiang said.

Key antimony producer Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star is set to suspend its blast furnaces on any day during 10-15 July because of a shortage in concentrate feedstock supplies, a company source told Argus. The firm previously suspended its blast furnace for more than a month from late May because of the same reason.

Hsikwangshan, with 40,000 t/yr of capacity for antimony products, produced 24,000t last year, down from 26,000t in 2020 and 28,000t in 2019. Its output in 2022 is expected to fall as a result of depleting mine resources, as well as reduced concentrate shipments from supplying countries outside China.

China imported 9,888t of antimony concentrate during January-May this year, down by 44pc from the same period of 2021, according to Chinese customs data. Shipments were 2,307t in May, up from 988t in April but down from 4,981t a year earlier. Domestic antimony metal output reached 6,015t in May, down from 6,897t a year earlier and from 7,204t in April, data from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association show.

China’s total metal output rose to 30,965t during January-May, up from 27,459t in the same period last year. But the slight increase in supplies has not weighed on the market as demand from the solar industry has doubled, according to market participants. Total annual antimony demand from the solar industry is expected to grow to 19,000-20,000t in 2022 from around 10,000 t/yr in previous years. Higher consumption of 35,000 t/yr is also possible if newly installed capacity in the solar industry grow largely by 2025, said market participants.

Article Retrieved from: ArgusMetal

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SLG offers a variety of antimony products that serve a variety of needs. For more information on our antimony products please visit our Flame Retardants page, or you can always give us a call here at our office by visiting our Contact Us page.

Battery demand to reach $275bn by 2030: Avicenne

London —

Global demand for batteries is expected to total 2.7TWh by 2030 with a valuation of $275bn, underpinned by strong growth in the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage sectors, said Avicenne Energy today at the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference in Mainz, Germany.

Demand for lithium-ion batteries — which use a range of metals including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite — is set to grow to 2.207TWh, with much of the rest of global demand taken by lead-acid batteries, which will still be used for EVs, according to Avicenne Energy. “We are probably conservative in our forecasts but we expect 35pc of the global automotive market will be electrified,” said Fabrice Renard, senior advisor at the company.

Demand from the EV segment in particular will be around 2TWh, according to Avicenne’s forecasts, growing by a compound annual growth rate of 28pc from 2021-30. The rest will come from a range of different applications for lithium-ion batteries.

“In non-portable, non-electronic and non-EV applications there is a lot of opportunity, and they are still growing,” Renard said, adding that applications in the e-bike, power tool and forklift truck sectors have continued to grow, as well as uses in energy storage, which will become more prominent later in the decade.

Asia continues to dominate the market

Planned capacity for batteries is expected to reach 3TWh by 2030, keeping pace with demand as battery giga-factories spring up in Europe, Asia and the US.

In Europe, the total share of global battery capacity will grow to 24pc of the market in 2030, from just 7pc in 2021. Asia’s total share of capacity is expected to shrink to 54pc in 2030 from 60pc in 2021, while North America will account for 13pc of global capacity, up from 11pc in 2021.

The majority of planned global expansions are in China, despite Europe increasing overall market share. China is expected to grow to just below 1.6TWh by 2030 from 220GWh in 2020. Europe will rise to 700GWh by 2030, up from a negligible amount in 2020.

Much of the expansion in Europe is a result of large investment in recent years into battery giga-factories. Despite this, Europe will remain reliant on Asia for some aspects of the battery supply chain.

“Around 55-60pc of the cost of a giga-factory is linked to cell manufacturing equipment and today this supply is mainly coming from Asia. Probably 90pc of the equipment arriving today is supplied by Chinese, Japanese and Korean companies,” said Renard.

The world is expected to need 3.5mn-5mn t of cathode active materials annually by 2030 to meet demand for batteries, up from below 800,000t in 2021.

“Probably 20pc of these materials will be needed for Europe, and today there are only two companies starting to produce cathode active materials, Umicore and BASF,” said Renard. “We will need, by 2030, 600,000-800,000t of cathodes… Until there are more capacity expansions, we will need to be supplied by Asian suppliers.”

Article Retrieved from: ArgusMetal

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China’s Hsikwangshan reopens antimony furnace

Beijing —

Major Chinese antimony producer Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star restarted its blast furnace this week, after suspending it for more than a month because of a shortage of concentrate feedstock availability.

The firm is aiming to ensure metal output of 1,500 t/month after reopening the blast furnace to meet its annual production target, although concentrate supplies from other countries have remained tight.

Hsikwangshan’s south mine reached its monthly production targets in April and May, with 1,200 t/month metal equivalent of antimony concentrate output during the two months, according to a company source.

China imported 7,545t of antimony concentrate during January-April, down by 41pc from the previous year, according to customs data. Shipments were 988t in April, down sharply from 2,493t in March and from 4,797t a year earlier.

Hsikwangshan, with 40,000 t/yr of capacity for antimony products, produced 24,000t last year, down from 26,000t in 2020 and 28,000t in 2019.

Most private-sector metal producers in Lengshuijiang city, China’s largest antimony production hub, have yet to reopen their blast furnaces, which produce the intermediate feedstock antimony oxygen powder, because of tight concentrate supplies. It will be difficult for them to reopen the furnaces this year because all feedstock supplies will be shipped to large-scale producers such as Hsikwangshan and Chenzhou Mining, according to sources at the smelters. But some of them may be still operating some refining furnaces with a certain volume of metal output by using standby feedstock inventories, according to market participants. The seven producers in Lengshuijiang have a combined metal capacity of 35,000-40,000 t/yr.

China produced 7,204t of antimony metal in April, up from 5,821t a year earlier but down slightly from 7,324t in March, according to data from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association. Output during January-April totalled 24,950t, up from 20,562t for the same period last year.

The Chinese antimony market has been subdued with the reduced activity, with most producers withholding material sales at lower prices and consumers showing limited restocking interest. Most participants are sitting on the market sidelines while waiting for a recovery in economy when the Covid-19 pandemic is under control. Prices for 99.85pc grade antimony metal were last assessed at 80,000-81,000 yuan/t ($11,957-12,106/t) on 31 May, unchanged since 10 May.

Article Retrieved from: ArgusMetal

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St. Louis Group Featured in Spray Foam Magazine

A special thanks to Spray Foam Magazine for featuring three women in our company who are making waves in the spray foam industry! Read below to learn more about them and SLG.

LET’S TALK // Flames Away

St. Louis Group (SLG) is a leading supplier of brominated, chlorinated, and phosphorus flame retardants. Launching in 2010, by SLG’s president Dago Hornedo along with Rhonda Burgess, and Mindy Newton, SLG is now celebrating 12 years in business. Currently, SLG is also expanding into polyol and other polyurethane (PU) additives. According to the SLG team, “Our fire retardants and SmokeShield materials can help spray foam manufacturers meet the requirements of ASTM E84 and Appendix X for applications such as walls, floors, attics, crawl spaces, and roofs. Due to our broad product lines and knowledge of additive, reactive, intumescent, and low smoke mechanisms, SLG can provide tailor made low viscosity solutions to meet the most stringent flammability and smoke requirements.”

RHONDA BURGESS, Market Development Manager for Rigid and Flexible PU

How did you become a Market Development Manager? My career started at Great Lakes Chemical (now Lanxess), where I worked in the flame retardant (FR) lab. I helped launch SLG in 2010 and when you join a small new company, you must wear many hats. I served in many roles including Customer Service, Accounts Payable/Collections, and Materials Manager. SLG was growing rapidly, and our President wanted to expand into the Polyurethane FR Market. He asked if I would like to be the Market Development Manager for this new product line. I decided to take the risk and give it my best shot; so, I accepted the promotion almost seven years ago and love it!

What area do you specialize in? I am primarily focused on additives used in the rigid and flexible PU markets.

What is your favorite aspect of your role? My favorite aspect of this role is getting to travel and meet new customers and learn about their business. I am thankful to be given an opportunity that I would never have been given if I worked somewhere else and that I have a boss that believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

What personality traits are needed in your role? To be successful in a Market Development position, you need to be outgoing and enjoy helping people. You can’t be afraid to pick up the phone and talk to people. People are bombarded with sales calls and emails, everyday; what makes you stand out is listening and taking interest in your customer needs.

Are you working on any special projects? Yes. We continue to expand our business, so I always must be ready to learn about and go to market with the next new product. Currently, we are working on new generation halogenated and nonhalogenated flame retardants.

What do you do in your spare time? My husband and I enjoy traveling and spending time with our four grandchildren, including eight-month-old twin boys.

ALYSSA NASH, Business Manager for Brominated Flame Retardants

What did you study at college? I majored in history and minored in organizational leadership and supervision. While my major didn’t directly relate to the field I ended up in, I believe college did help me learn a lot of the skills I’d need to work and thrive at a company like SLG.

Did you ever imagine you would work in flame retardants? No, I never thought I’d work with flame retardants, but like many other young professionals, I was open to any opportunity and quickly found my home here at SLG.

Why is your job so crucial? I run one of our business units (BroShield line), which in a way is like its own mini business. I directly handle development, purchasing, strategic pricing, etc. and oversee everything related to my products from inventory, imports, and production.

What exactly are brominated flame retardants and how are these applied to a structure? Brominated flame retardants are used in a wide variety of markets, including spray foam. They are chemical compounds that contain bromine and act in the gas/vapor phase to reduce flammability and/or retard combustion in many types of polymers. It’s a very effective and commonly used flame retardant. It includes both reactive products which are chemically bound into the polymer material as well as additive products which are integrated into the material by physical mixing only.

Can any of the SLG products be customized for a specific client request? Yes, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and the ability to tailor our products to fit our customers’ specific needs.

Are there any exciting new products currently being worked on? Yes, we are always working on new and exciting projects to expand our BroShield line. Right now, we are working on a PHT4-Diol/tetrabromophthalate diol alternative.

What do you like to do in your spare time? In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I especially enjoy spending time outdoors when the weather is nice.

MEGAN MORRIS, Business Manager for Phosphorus Flame Retardants

How did you get started at the St. Louis Group? I started with SLG in 2012 when I was one year out of college and not sure what I wanted in a career. My first role was inside sales/customer service. Sales was not for me, but I moved into Logistics and Materials and quickly found my passion in the business side of the company.

How would you describe your management style? As a manager, I want my employees to feel empowered in their role while being readily accessible. I like to coach them as needed and help them grow in their career.

Why are flame retardants so essential? Flame retardants are used in a wide range of industries and applications to help prevent or slow the spread of fire.

What’s the difference between halogenated and non-halogenated solutions? Halogenated flame retardants are the traditional option and contain chlorine or bromine. While our new generation of non-Halogen FRs are a greener option.

What are phosphorus flame retardants? Flame retardants that contain the chemical phosphorus are under our PhosGard® product line. Phosphorus flame retardants act in the condensed phase by enhancing charring, yielding intumescence, and in the gas phase through flame inhibition. It includes both reactive products which are chemically bound into the polymer material as well as additive products which are integrated into the material by physical mixing only.

Describe a typical workday for you? On a typical day I analyze market conditions, quote customers, review inventory levels and pipeline, and work on new product development.

When it comes to flame retardant chemicals, how is St. Louis Group actively looking for environmentally friendly alternatives? We have some exciting projects currently in development and we are always working to expand our line with the latest technology. SLG is committed to addressing the needs of our customers whether that be through our existing products or developing custom blends.

When you have spare time, what do you like to do? I have two young children so outside of work I spend most of my time with them. When the weather is nice, I love to read and spend time outdoors.

Article Retrieved from: Spray Foam Magazine

For More Information on Antimony Products

Weaker demand to dampen Chinese antimony prices

Beijing, 16 May —

Chinese antimony prices are expected by market participants to soften further in the short term because of limited demand from the flame retardant industry, following consecutive price falls over the past month.

Prices have continued to fall since 12 April from a 10-year high in mid-March, as Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns in China have stemmed market activity and buying interest in the main consumption areas in east China.

Prices for 99.65pc grade antimony metal were last assessed unchanged at 79,000-80,000 yuan/t ($11,636-11,784/t) ex-works on 12 May, following a combined fall of Yn2,500/t over 12 April-10 May.

Most primary antimony metal is used as a flame retardant together with bromine, which is added in plastic products that are further consumed by the electronics, vehicles and other instrument industries.

But renewed buying interest from the seaborne market in February and March shored up market confidence and prompted antimony producers to float higher offer prices during these two months, when they expected downstream consumers to replenish stocks when they run out of stocks in this year’s second quarter. China exported 3,772t of antimony metal during January-March, up by 26pc from 2,996t a year earlier, customs data show.

“Domestic and overseas demand became weak in April and we are unsure when the situation will be better,” a market participant told Argus.

Major Chinese antimony producer Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star closed its blast furnace in late April because of low concentrate feedstock availability. The suspension is expected to last for at least one month. Hsikwangshan, with 40,000 t/yr of output capacity for antimony products, produced 24,000t last year, down from 26,000t in 2020 and 28,000t in 2019.

Production halts

The seven private-sector metal producers in Lengshuijiang have a combined output capacity of 35,000-40,000 t/yr. They are likely to completely halt metal production if concentrate supply shortages persist in May.

They also halted their blast furnaces in April because of concentrate supply shortages. Some of them may not restart their furnaces this year because all feedstock supplies will be shipped to large-scale producers such as Hsikwangshan and Chenzhou Mining, according to sources at some smelters.

China imported 6,557t of antimony concentrate during January-March, down by 18pc from a year earlier, according to customs data. Shipments reached 2,493t in March, down from 3,671t a year earlier.

There will remain downside potential for the antimony market in the short term because of slower economic growth caused by China’s lockdowns. It is unlikely prices will drop significantly in the long term either, as tighter metal supplies continue and the lockdowns in Shanghai are expected to be gradually lifted next month, according to market participants.

Article Retrieved from: ArgusMetal

For More Information on Antimony Products

China’s January-March antimony metal output rises

Beijing, 9 May (Argus) —

China’s antimony metal output during January-March increased on the year, with producers lifting production in response to higher spot prices in the first three months of the year, and renewed demand from seaborne consumers.

Production totalled 17,746t, up from 14,742t in the same period last year, according to China’s Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA) data. Production in March rose to 7,324t, up from 3,280t in February, and up from 4,371t in March 2021.

Export prices for the metal were assessed stable at $13,700-13,900/t fob during 25 April-5 May, following a fall of $400/t on 21 April. Prices are likely to fall further this week on weaker demand both from domestic and seaborne consumers.

Key metal producers in Hunan’s Lengshuijiang city in late April closed their blasting furnaces on a lack of concentrate availability. This, coupled with the expectations of a recovery in economic growth after the current Covid-19 crisis in the country is brought under control, may slow the downward trend of the market.

China’s antimony metal production
Province	Jan-Mar 2021	Jan-Mar 2022

Hunan	12,051	14,971
Yunnan	1,335	1,579
Guangxi	371	509
Guizhou	985	686
Total	14,742	17,746
Source: China’s Nonferrous Metals Industry Association

Article Retrieved from: ArgusMetal