Mineral sands prices to peak in late-2012 and 2013

摘要

Prices for mineral sands products rutile, ilmenite and zircon are expected to rise significantly before peaking in late 2012 and 2013, according to a report by investment bank Credit Suisse. Growing demand in pigment and ceramics end markets coupled with supply constraints is likely to see feedstock producers, which are moving away from long contracts, pushing for large price increases over the next two years. "Downstream paint manufacturers largely hoarded the profits from the industry in the past, but now the supply-demand dynamics have changed and the time of reckoning has arrived," said Credit Suisse in a research report.