PERTH 2017: From the Perspective of Major Producers

摘要

According to lluka, global zircon demand was underestimated by independent market analysts (TZMI) in 2014, 2015 and 2016 - possibly by as much as 300,000 tonnes over the three years. Zircon demand reached a peak of 1.63 million tonnes in 2011 and then dropped to 1.03 million tonnes in 2013, partly due to the impact of changes in tile manufacturing technology, notably double-charging to make polished porcelain tiles and digital printing for the decoration of crystal porcelain and glazed porcelain tiles. However, over the past three years, global zircon demand has been nearly 1.2 million t.p.a. Meanwhile, lluka's zircon production has been drastically curtailed - from 602,000 tonnes in 2011 to 347,000 tonnes last year. Other major producers have also reduced their production, partly due to declines in ore grades and lower zircon contents in mineral assemblages. For 2017 and 2018, world zircon and supply should be more or less balanced.