Silicon Metal/Limited price movements in all markets

摘要

Spot prices have not moved perceptibly in any of the major silicon metal markets over the past month. Most significantly, after falling substantially since early in the second quarter of this year, prices of Chinese material in Japan have stabilized. This development principally can be attributed to recent electricity supply problems in some of the key silicon metal-producing areas in southern China. However, weak demand so far has kept prices from rebounding. Prices for Chinese standard secondary aluminium (5.5.3) grade material currently are in a range of 840-860 dollars/tonne delivered major Japanese port, while quotes for primary aluminium (4.4.1) grade material are in the order of 890-900 dollars/tonne delivered Japan. Spot market activity in the European Union is still subdued as the summer holiday period draws to a close. Prices for standard secondary aluminium-grade silicon metal of Western origin continue to hover in a band around 1,300 euros/tonne (1,480 dollars/tonne). Offers below 1,280 euros/tonne (1,455 dollars/tonne) are hard to come by, and supply in the European market reportedly remains quite tight.