March 2024 Titanium Products Market Overview

The ilmenite market is running well in March. The price of ilmenite in Panzhihua Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. and Anning will increase by 150 yuan / ton in April, and the price of small and medium-sized ilmenite will rise by about 50 yuan / ton this month. Up to now, the tax-free quotation of Panxi Dachang 47 miner 20 ilmenite is 2350-2480 yuan / ton, the tax-free transaction price of 46 miner 10 ilmenite is about 2280 yuan / ton, and the tax-free quotation of 38pj42 mine is 1600-1650 yuan / ton. Due to the stable demand in the downstream market, the overall supply of China's titanium ore market is tight, and the prices of some titanium ores are high; the supply of medium ore is tight, the price continues to rise, and the price of the concentrator is high; the downstream titanium dioxide continues to rise, the miners cherish the sale, and the price remains firm; the price of titanium ore is high, the cost pressure of enterprises in the downstream titanium dioxide market is high, and the purchasing mood of high-price titanium ore is more cautious. Due to the low inventory of miners, coupled with the new order price of large factories in the second quarter will be raised by 150 yuan / ton, the price of titanium ore will continue to run high.

The overall stability of the imported titanium ore market has been maintained. Mozambique's titanium ore has a month-on-month correction of US $45 / ton, with a guidance price of US $370 / ton and Kenya's 47-49 mine at US $360 / tonne. Kenmel titanium ore due to weak demand in the Chinese market and high cost pressure, the guiding price of Kenmel titanium ore was lowered in the second half of the first quarter. At present, the overall supply of imported ilmenite in China is still tight, and there is not much spot inventory in Chinese ports. Among them, the order for Great Wall ilmenite is basically arranged until April-May, and the spot price remains strong; customs data show that imported ilmenite accumulated about 696000 tons from January to February, an increase of 3.39% over the same period last year, strong market demand, tight supply of ilmenite, and the imported ilmenite market is expected to maintain high operation.

Titanium slag

The market price of acid slag has increased by 200 yuan / ton this month. Up to now, the factory price including tax in Sichuan is 5820-5920 yuan / ton, and the factory price in Yunnan is 5300 yuan / ton. The price of climbing ore is high and the pressure on the cost of acid slag is increasing. The downstream market demand is stable, the spot supply is tight, the new unit price is up, and the market price is expected to remain high.

The market of high titanium slag is weak in March, the bidding price in March is 110 yuan / ton lower than that in February, the price of 90 low calcium and magnesium high slag is 7750-7800 yuan / ton, and the price of high titanium slag is not quoted for the time being; due to the increase of new production capacity in the market, there is a surplus supply in the industry, and the price of high slag is weak. The raw material titanium ore is high, the high slag price falls to the low level, the slag plant cost pressure is big, some enterprises think that the price has reached the bottom, the enterprise has the upward intention, but the downstream purchase is also more cautious, the high slag price is expected to maintain stable operation.

Titanium tetrachloride

Titanium tetrachloride market increased slightly, Hubei enterprises sent letter high slag price increased by 500yuan / ton, titanium tetrachloride market price in 6300-6800 yuan / ton, due to the increase in raw material liquid chlorine price, titanium tetrachloride cost price increased, manufacturers cost pressure; downstream product prices remain stable, titanium tetrachloride market supply and demand basically maintain balance, titanium tetrachloride price is expected to maintain stable operation.

Titanium dioxide

The titanium dioxide market operated at a high level in March. The price of titanium dioxide in international titanium dioxide enterprises has increased by US $100,125 / ton since April 1, while that of Chinese dragon enterprises has increased by US $500,100 / ton, and the foreign price has increased by US $100. up to now, the tax-containing factory price of rutile titanium dioxide in China is 16200-17500 yuan / ton, and that of anatase titanium dioxide is 15000-15500 yuan / ton. The main factors for the price rise of titanium dioxide are as follows: (1) some orders are on hand, and the inventory of manufacturers remains low, and the new single quotation remains strong; (2) the prices of raw material ilmenite and sulfuric acid continue to rise, and the cost pressure of titanium dioxide increases; (3) the export market remains strong, and the export orders of some enterprises are better. According to customs data, the export volume of titanium dioxide in China from January to February in 2024 was 293400 tons, an increase of 2.65 percent over the same period last year. Titanium dioxide prices are high, downstream procurement is also more cautious, high costs, titanium dioxide market is expected to continue to run firmly.

Sponge titanium

The sponge titanium market was basically stable in March. Yunnan Guoti sent a letter to raise the price of sponge titanium by 2000 yuan / ton, the market price of first-class sponge titanium was between 5.1 yuan and 53000 yuan / ton, the market demand for titanium downstream remained stable, and the shipments of sponge titanium enterprises maintained good. The price of raw materials is high, the cost of sponge titanium is strong, and the market price is temporarily stable. Due to the increase in new production capacity in China this year, market supply remains high, the price of titanium sponge is under greater pressure; the price of titanium products downstream is low, downstream enterprises are also under pressure, enterprises purchase on demand, and the price of titanium sponge is expected to run smoothly in the later stage.

Market forecast for April:

1. The supply of titanium ore is tight, and the price is expected to remain high.

2. The inventory of titanium dioxide enterprises is low and the price is expected to be strong.

3. The demand for titanium sponge is stable, and the price is expected to remain strong.