Cost support remains, pre-holiday demand mediocre [ADC12 Price Daily Review]

Indium Corporation will present its DFLT bismuth-free, indium-containing low-temperature solder for large BGA assemblies at IMAPS Symposium 2026, which opens September 29. The dual-powder solder supports step soldering, hot-bar soldering, rework and board-level assembly, with peak reflow temperatures as low as 210°C. The company said DFLT can mitigate warpage-related defects and improve drop-shock and electromigration performance versus BiSnAg alloys, with overall performance comparable to or exceeding SAC305. Indium content, customer qualification and commercial shipment volumes were not disclosed.

[SMM Niobium Flash] Globe Metals & Mining said on 28 September that Malawi’s Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority had specified what the company must start building at its Kanyika niobium-tantalum project. The guidance, received on 25 September, sets a six-month period from that date to demonstrate substantial on-site development. The works include, where applicable, starting a processing plant, tailings storage facility, site offices and run-of-mine pad. Globe said the directive still requires ratification by the authority’s board. The guidance clarifies Kanyika’s next steps after its previous 27 September deadline to begin substantial mining operations. Globe reports that preparatory road and stockpile works have been completed, but it must still agree detailed engineering measures with regulators and demonstrate the required permanent works. Its aim of commercial production in early 2028 remains a company target.

Global chrome ore departures totaled 660,600 mt in the week ended September 25, up 5.71% week-on-week. This is a second consecutive weekly increase and the highest volume since the week ended September 4. The composition of the flows shifted markedly, however, as gains at Richards Bay and Mersin more than offset a steep pullback at Maputo. Maputo departures fell to 340,200 mt from 555,600 mt, a 38.77% decline that marks the port's lowest weekly volume since the week ended August 28. Its share of total departures narrowed to roughly 51.5% from about 89% a week earlier, ending a run of Maputo-dominated flows and pointing to a more evenly distributed export mix. Richards Bay filled the gap, returning to active shipping after two weeks of zero departures with 227,800 mt, its highest weekly volume since at least the week ended August 7 and equivalent to about 34% of total departures. Mersin also rose 22.22% to 84,700 mt from 69,300 mt, its highest weekly volume over the same period. Beira again recorded no chrome ore departures, remaining inactive for a third consecutive week. The week's data shows the resilience of overall seaborne chrome ore flows from Southern Africa despite a sharp Maputo slowdown, with Richards Bay's rebound reducing the region's reliance on a single corridor. Given the intermittent loading pattern at Richards Bay in recent weeks, whether the port sustains this level of activity will be a key factor for regional shipment volumes ahead.