Erin Hooks-Crockrom, Author at St. Louis Group

China’s Antimony Imports Rise In March

Beijing, 18 May (Argus) —

China’s antimony concentrate imports rose sharply in March in response to renewed demand, after most metal smelters in China resumed production from late February as the country’s Covid-19 outbreak eased.

The country imported 5,464t of antimony concentrate in March, up by 61pc from 3,399t in March 2019, official customs data show.

A total of 2,804t of the material was imported from Tajikistan and 327t was imported from Russia, up by 7.6pc and 259pc from the previous year. Shipments from Australia and Canada were 1,668t and 354t, while deliveries from Bolivia and Peru were 178t and 133t respectively. China did not import antimony concentrate from these countries a year earlier.

China imported 15,742t of antimony concentrate during January-March, down by 10.15pc from 17,520t a year earlier.

Imports in April are estimated to fall, as the coronavirus outbreak outside of China, since mid-March has forced most countries to halt production as part of their own Covid-19 lockdowns.

For More Information on Antimony Products

St. Louis Group 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.

This article was retrieved from Argus Metals

China’s Antimony Ore Output Falls in January-March

Beijing, 13 May (Argus) —

China’s antimony concentrate production fell sharply during January-March from a year earlier because of production cuts and weaker demand caused by the global spread of Covid-19.
Domestic concentrate output fell by 37pc to 11,100t of metal content during the first three months of 2020 from 17,700t in the year-earlier period, data from the China nonferrous metals industry association show.
Production in March fell to 5,800t, down from 8,000t during the same month last year. Output in April is forecast to drop further following production halts at two mines operated by state-owned Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star, China’s largest antimony producer, during the month.
Combined production of antimony products fell by around 10.2pc to 44,100t of physical weight in the first quarter of this year, down from 49,100t during the same period last year. And March output of antimony products fell to 18,900t from 19,700t a year earlier.
Prices for 99.65pc grade metal have been assessed unchanged at 35,000-36,000 yuan/t ($4,935-5,076/t) since 15 April, with sellers reluctant to make price concessions because of tighter profit margins. Weaker international demand as a result of the coronavirus outbreak continues to weigh on the antimony market, preventing prices from rising in the near term.

American Coatings Show and Conference 2020 is Canceled

May 1, 2020 —

After weeks of painstaking consideration, including input from the industry, organizers of the ACS/ACC have decided to cancel the event. Given all relevant circumstances, including the continued unknown variables of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, corresponding changes by governments, and challenges to businesses, this was an unavoidable decision. The show will resume its biennial schedule April 5-7, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

The decision was difficult, as the organizers understand the important role the ACS/ACC serves in offering a platform for new products and technologies, connecting industry professionals, and educating coatings scientists. Although the 2020 installment will not proceed this year, the ACS/ACC will continue to serve as the most significant coatings show in North America when it resumes in 2022. In the meantime, ACS/ACC organizers remain committed to helping industry professionals stay up to date on the latest technology trends and innovations in coatings. Launching May 6, ACC Virtual will deliver ACC presentations through an in-depth, online learning experience. Additional information about this unique opportunity will be available in the coming weeks.

For More Information on Antimony Products

This article was retrieved from American Coatings Show

China’s Antimony Concentrate Output Falls Sharply

Beijing, 10 April (Argus) —

China’s antimony concentrate production fell in the first two months of 2020 from a year earlier because of a prolonged shutdown caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Domestic concentrate output fell by 42pc to 5,600t of metal content in January-February, down from 9,700t a year earlier, data from the China nonferrous metals industry association show.

Combined production of antimony products fell by almost a fifth to 24,200t of physical weight in January-February from 29,900t a year earlier.

Production in March is expected to have increased from February as most producers resumed output as restrictions to combat the virus eased. But the spread of coronavirus outside China has weighed on international demand and dragged down prices.

Prices for 99.65pc grade metal dipped by 500 yuan/t ($71/t) to Yn35,500-36,500/t ex-works yesterday from Yn36,000-37,000/t ex-works on April 7th. A slowdown in global economic growth caused by the pandemic is expected to continue to result in weaker demand and lower prices in the near term.

For More Information on Antimony Products

This article was retrieved from Argus Metals

China’s Antimony Imports Drop In January-February

Beijing, 1 April (Argus) —

China’s antimony concentrate imports fell in the first two month of 2020 because of a prolonged lunar new year holiday and lower metal output caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

The country imported 10,279t of antimony concentrate during January-February, down by 27.2pc from 14,120t a year earlier, official customs data show.

China’s antimony metal output for January-February totalled 10,453t, down by 24pc from 13,730t a year earlier. Output in Hunan province, the country’s largest producing area for antimony, fell to 8,000t in January-February from 12,056t a year earlier as major producers closed in February during the coronavirus outbreak.

Concentrate shipments from Tajikistan dropped by 20pc from a year earlier to 4,671t, while deliveries from Russia fell by 32.6pc to 3,791t. Imports from Australia dropped by 15.9pc to 1,152t.

Shipments from Myanmar (Burma) declined by 61pc from a year earlier to 362t, while imports from Bolivia fell by 58.3pc to 155t. Deliveries from Turkey were 148t, while there were no imports from the country a year ago.

For More Information on Antimony Products

This article was retrieved from Argus Metals

Prolonged Coronavirus Could Halve Economic Growth: OECD

London, March 2nd (Argus) —

The OECD has raised the prospect of the coronavirus, halving the rate of global economic growth this year.

Under what the OECD called the “domino” prospect of widespread contagion. Countries such as Japan and the Eurozone could experience recessions. Growth could be 1.5pc in 2020, compared with the 2.9pc projected before the coronavirus outbreak.

Under the OECD’s base case for a “temporary blow” — a severe, short-lived downturn followed by a gradual recovery could happen in China, Japan, South Korea and Australia. With a much less pointed effect in the rest of the world. The OECD expects global economic growth at 2.4pc this year, down from 2.9pc in 2019.

Whichever case transpires, the OECD said governments must “act immediately” to limit the coronavirus’ spread. Governments can do that by protecting people and businesses from its effects and shore up demand in the economy. It said measures should include temporary tax and budget moves and the provision of additional liquidity into the banking system.

In Northern Italy, manufacturing has already started to suffer. Metal traders said they were having trouble finding freight to move material around the region. And Finish producer Outukumpu shut its stainless-steel service centre in Castelleone, Northern Italy last week.

The initial outbreak in China raised prices for various minor metals dependant on the country for supply. Now China’s outbreak seems to be under control, those metal prices have started to fall.

Argus assessed prices for 99.7pc manganese flake, which reached $2,250-2,400/t at the height of China’s outbreak on February 11th , but have now fallen back down to $1,950-2,050/t on February 27th. Magnesium prices also reached highs of $2,450-2,600/t in Rotterdam on February 13th, but fell to $2,300-2,400/t on February 27th just as China started to re-open some logistical services.

Some markets have remained higher on supply disruptions. Prices for antimony ingots were assessed at $6,200-6,400/t for China on February 20th, up by $600/t since the beginning of February. Prices for 5-5-3 grade silicon metal were also up by €130/t since the beginning of February to €1,850-1,950/t delivered duty paid.

There are now concerns that demand for these metals could subside in Europe and Asia because of large coronavirus outbreaks there. Prices for metals are expected to fall if there were long-term shutdowns at factories in Italy, South Korea and other developed economies.

For More Information on Antimony Products

This article was retrieved from Argus Metals

American Coatings Show and Conference 2020 Postponed

March 6, 2020 ̶

After careful consideration and in response to the continuing developments surrounding COVID-19, the organizers of the American Coatings Show and Conference 2020 (ACS/ACC) announce that the ACS/ACC will be postponed to a later date in 2020. The ACS/ACC was scheduled for March 31 through April 2 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind.

Postponement of ACS/ACC 2020 was unavoidable as the show could not proceed as scheduled due to forces beyond our control.

The ACS/ACC organizers are working to secure dates to reschedule the show at the same venue in Indianapolis later in 2020. The new dates for the event will be announced as soon as possible.

ACS/ACC organizers will continue to keep our exhibitors, attendees and stakeholders informed of further details related to the postponement and rescheduling.

Thank you for your support, patience and cooperation as we continue to work through this challenging situation

This article was retrieved from the American Coatings Show webpage

Virus Hitting Metal Exports, China Trade Council Warns

Beijing, 19 February (Argus) —

China’s exports of metallurgical products have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. With shipments halted to some customers and others requesting a suspension of deliveries, said by the China council for the promotion of international trade (CCPIT).

Some customers outside of China in Turkey, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia and elsewhere have stopped receiving metal exports from Chinese companies or asked for suspensions.

Some Indian customers are requiring their Chinese suppliers to pay liquidation damages, as they say Chinese companies are unable to make deliveries in time because of traffic disruptions resulting from the coronavirus crisis.

Many buyers outside of China are hesitant to place orders because delivery dates are uncertain and local customs agencies are likely to restrict Chinese goods because of said concerns that the coronavirus could develop into an epidemic.

The customs declaration process has also been slowed by the lunar new year holidays, which the Chinese government extended in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus. This has delayed deliveries under many deals that were concluded around the holiday period.

Ports have resumed operations in the past few weeks, but efficiencies have been hit by the health crisis, which has affected delivery dates. Many overseas ports are likely to strictly control the berthing of ships from China, which could lead to prolonged berthing times and complicated procedures if the coronavirus outbreak worsens. All these factors could raise freight costs sharply, the council warned.

A lot of contracts that are under bids or inquiries, as well as face-to-face technical and business exchanges, have been interrupted. The CCPIT noted that March is the final month of India’s fiscal year and a time at which companies typically make purchasing plans for the upcoming 12 months. This means Chinese companies are likely to suffer heavy losses.

The council is calling on the government to take measures to help exporters overcome difficulties during this epidemic.

Chinese export prices for some metals including antimony, manganese, and tungsten have risen in the past couple of weeks in response to lower supplies caused by production cuts during the virus outbreak. Higher freight costs and shipment delays could also underpin short-term upside in prices.

Apple warned yesterday it expects the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in China to prevent it from meeting its revenue guidance and limit availability and consumption of some minor metals

For More Information on Antimony Products

This article was retrieved from Argus Metals

St. Louis Group Exhibiting at the 2020 American Coatings Show Held in Indianapolis

The Show will be held from March 31-April 2, 2020, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Coatings & Adhesives raw materials, as well as other additives, will be showcased at ACS 2020. Exhibitors and attendees alike see the American Coatings Show and Conference as the leading North American industry event, setting trends for future developments in the industry. Offering immediate business opportunities, a complete portfolio of high-grade competitive products, and access to top coatings decisionmakers, the 2020 show is a must- attend event. More than 600 exhibitors are expected to attend the event. The show will offer attendees valuable insight into the industry’s innovative advancements. The Conference will feature over 100 technical papers and posters from paint companies, raw material suppliers, academia, and governmental laboratories. The organizers are certain that this will attract about 10,000 attendees, turning the ACS into the largest scientific gathering in the coating’s world.

The show comes during a continued growth period for the coatings industry. As the United States continues to recover from the housing market collapse in 2007, the paint and coatings market is expected to grow in tandem with the construction sector, with increases in both volume and value. On the OEM side, the combination of strong domestic demand and improved export opportunities resulting from the fall of the value of the dollar, will fuel demand for increased U.S. durable goods and industrial coatings.

The show will also feature a fun run on April 2, 2020, at 7:00am, with the actual race starting at 7:15am. The proceeds from this event fund student participation in future American Coatings Conferences.

Stay tuned for more news regarding conferences and shows in the industry.

For more information on the American Coatings Show coming up at the end of March please visit the American Coatings Show page.

Articles Retrieved from american-coatings-show.com

Supply Cuts To Support China’s Metals Markets

Beijing, 13 February (Argus) —

Prices for metals and ferro-alloys are expected to hold firm or rise in the coming weeks because of lower Chinese supplies. This is following production cuts and logistics problems caused by the country’s coronavirus outbreak.

Traffic restrictions and quarantine measures imposed by the Chinese government to contain the spread of the coronavirus have forced most metals and alloys plants to shut down or reduce production in the past few weeks.

Although, some smelters have resumed output this week, they are operating at lower than usual run rates because of a lack of workers and tight feedstock costs caused by limited logistics services.

China has put more than 80 cities, including Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Hangzhou under quarantine to limit the inflow and outflow of people. This has delayed millions of workers returning to their factories from their home towns after the lunar new year holiday.

Most smelters are unlikely to resume full run rates until the end of this month or early March because of the shortage of workers and logistics bottlenecks. A potential rise in operating costs at smelters is expected to support prices, as they may have to pay higher wages to recruit new workers or encourage workers to return.

Freight rates have also risen in most regions amid limited logistics services. Providers are struggling to raise capacity because of traffic restrictions.

The coronavirus has killed more than 1,300 and infected nearly 60,000 people in China as of today, according to government figures. New confirmed sources outside of the epicentre Hubei province are falling, with several Chinese medical experts and scientists forecasting the outbreak will hit a peak in March and come under control in April

For More Information on Antimony Products

This article was retrieved from Argus Metals