In February (February 8 to March 11), the trades in the aluminum fluoride market were moderate. As of Jan 11, SMM aluminum fluoride was offered at 8,800-9,500 yuan/mt, up 2.23% MoM. SMM cryolite was offered at 6,500-7,500 yuan/mt, which remained stable MoM.
The raw material market was firm, with fluorite prices being stable. Recently, the National Mine Safety Administration issued the Notice on Carrying out Special Safety Checks and Crackdowns on Fluorite Mines. The rectification period is from March to August. The fluorite prices to aluminum fluoride plants were mainly 3,200-3,300 yuan/mt on delivery-to-factory basis. It is expected that fluorite prices will rise slightly amid tight supply. Sulfuric acid prices rose in the week. As companies increased their maintenance plans, the sulfuric acid supply was expected to shrink. This, coupled with strong downstream demand, bolstering sulfuric acid prices. Overall, raw material market prices were firm, lifting aluminum fluoride prices.
Supply and demand: Aluminum fluoride companies mostly focus on monthly orders, and the overall operating rate is low. In March, the bidding prices of aluminum fluoride major companies stopped falling and increased. Production pressure still exists. The mainstream transaction prices are concentrated near the cost line, and the profits are poor. In terms of demand, downstream aluminum companies purchase goods only as needed.
Aluminum fluoride prices stopped falling and increased in the month. According to SMM, the bidding prices of a major aluminum smelter was 9,000 yuan/mt in March, down 2.27% MoM. Fluorite prices were stable in March, but its low-end prices have already risen slightly. However, due to recent mine safety rectification and environmental protection, the supply is expected to shrink in the future, and the price of fluorite may go up. Given the poor profitability of aluminum fluoride market, SMM predicts that the aluminum fluoride prices may remain stable amid weak supply and demand.
