In April, the titanium market was strong, the prices of large factories were stable, and the prices of small and medium-sized factories were mixed. 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 2240-2260 yuan / ton, and the tax-free quotation of 38p342 ilmenite is 1580-1600 yuan / ton. At the beginning of this month, the price of Panxi Dachang ilmenite increased by 150 yuan / ton, market enquiries increased, and the prices of small factories around follow the upward trend. The price of raw materials is high, the cost pressure of the concentrator is high, and the price of ilmenite is strong; with the weakening of the titanium dioxide market, the inquiry of ilmenite is reduced, and the market price is reduced strongly, and the price of ilmenite is reduced by 30-40 yuan per ton; due to the overhaul of Panxi factory in the second ten days of this month, the influence of market output is about 100000 tons, the supply of ilmenite is greatly reduced, and the mainstream price of ilmenite is stable for the time being. However, the operation of the downstream titanium dioxide market is expected to be stable and weak, and in the later stage, the price of titanium ore is still under pressure, and the market supply and demand game, it is expected that there may be a small adjustment in the price of titanium ore in May.
The market for imported titanium ore remains stable, with Mozambican titanium ore at US $370 per ton and Kenya 47-49 at US $360 per ton. The price of Panzhihua ore is high, the downstream enterprises purchase more imported titanium ore, the downstream titanium dioxide and sponge titanium market starts at a high position, and the demand for imported titanium ore is good. According to customs data, China imported 47.89 million tons of titanium ore (containing medium ore wool ore) in March 2024, an increase of 11.23% over the same period last year and 22.87% month-on-month growth. Although the import of titanium ore has increased, the increment is basically the increase of crude ore, and the mainstream foreign titanium ore has basically returned to China in the second half of the year. In the first half of the year, the supply of titanium ore is still in a tight situation, and the market price is stable.
Titanium slag
The acid slag market has remained stable 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 climbing price is high, the cost of acid slag is high, the downstream market demand is stable, and the price of acid slag is stable. Due to the influence of environmental protection inspection, acid slag manufacturers temporarily suspended production, and some of them have technical reform plans, and the supply of acid slag is reduced. The production and marketing of acid slag in Yunnan is basically balanced, and the cost pressure of downstream enterprises is great. In addition, the price of raw material ilmenite weakens slightly, and the price of acid slag or pressure operation in the later stage.
The market of high titanium slag runs weakly and steadily in April, the bidding price in April is the same as that in March, the price of 90 low calcium and magnesium high slag is 7750-7800 yuan / ton, the price of raw material ilmenite is high, the production cost of titanium slag is high, and some enterprises of high slag maintain stop production; downstream demand is weak, high slag overcapacity, market price is low, market operating rate is low. Supported by costs, enterprise quotations remain strong, downstream market starts to maintain high levels, and it is reported that the bidding price of high slag has been raised in May.
Titanium tetrachloride
Titanium tetrachloride market maintains stability, titanium tetrachloride market price is 6300-6800 yuan / ton, liquid chlorine price fluctuates downward, titanium raw material price remains high, titanium tetrachloride production cost is still high, titanium tetrachloride price is at the edge of cost line, price is low, out-of-market sales are low, while downstream sponge titanium market demand is good, titanium tetrachloride market is expected to run firmly in the later stage.
Titanium dioxide
In April, the titanium dioxide market was relatively chaotic, and the quotations of some manufacturers were lowered by varying degrees. Up to now, the tax-containing ex-factory price of rutile titanium dioxide in China is 15600-17000 yuan / ton, and that of anatase titanium dioxide is 14800-15000 yuan / ton. The terminal demand in China is weak, the new signing of the market is weak, the shipping pressure of some enterprises is great, and the prices of some traders in some areas have been adjusted in the first ten days of the month. The prices of raw material titanium ore and sulfuric acid are high and downward, the cost pressure of titanium dioxide has been alleviated, the downstream demand is weak, and the enterprise shipping pressure is great. At the end of the month, the quotations of some manufacturers have been lowered by 300,500 yuan / ton. According to the data, China's titanium dioxide export volume in March 2024 was 196100 tons, an increase of 46.72% month on month and 29.61% over the same period last year. Supported by the export market, most Chinese enterprises have no inventory for the time being. Titanium dioxide market has entered the off-season, downstream enterprises are more cautious in purchasing, the market price is discussed one by one, the terminal demand continues to be poor, it is difficult for the market demand to improve in May, the market inventory pressure may increase, and the titanium dioxide price will continue to run weakly.
Sponge titanium
The sponge titanium market is temporarily stable in April, the first-class sponge titanium market price is in the range of 5.20-54000 yuan / ton, the downstream market demand of sponge titanium is good, the demand of military industry and 3C electronics has increased, and the enterprise shipping is better; the price of raw material magnesium ingots has fallen, the enterprise cost pressure has been alleviated, coupled with the release of new production capacity in the market, the output of sponge titanium has gradually increased, affected by the high price of titanium raw material supply, the sponge titanium market is expected to operate steadily.
Market forecast for May:
1. The supply of titanium ore is reduced, and the price is expected to run firmly.
2. The demand for titanium dioxide is weak, and the price is expected to run weakly.
3. The demand for titanium sponge is stable, and the price is expected to remain strong.
