Power rationing in Inner Mongolia enforced, high-carbon ferrochrome's power consumption surged

Published: Feb 8, 2021 14:30
On February 4, Inner Mongolia Ministry of Industry and Information Technology implemented a differential electricity price policy in accordance with national regulations on the industries of aluminium, iron alloy, calcium carbide, sodium hydroxide, cement, steel, yellow phosphorus and zinc smelting.

SHANGHAI, Feb 8 (SMM) – On February 4, Inner Mongolia Ministry of Industry and Information Technology implemented a differential electricity price policy in accordance with national regulations on the industries of aluminium, iron alloy, calcium carbide, sodium hydroxide, cement, steel, yellow phosphorus and zinc smelting. The power rate is 0.1 yuan/kWh for the restricted production and 0.3 yuan/kWh for the closure production (0.4 yuan/kWh for cement and 0,5 yuan/kWh for iron and steel). The price will be increased by 30% and 50% in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

High-carbon ferrochrome prices rose by 1,000 yuan/mt (Cr 50%) weekly

Source: SMM

The local ministry will filter out the enterprises with the production capacity to be restricted or closed from Q2 2021, and power grid enterprises will adjust the power rates for the filtered companies based on the government's standards according to the enterprises' production facilities and power consumption (including market trading electricity). According to policy requirements, in the alloy production, power rates will increase 0.1 yuan/kWh for the restricted capacity, and 0.3 yuan/kWh for eliminated capacity, which is converted to 400 yuan and 1200 yuan for silico-manganese producers, 500 yuan and 1,250 yuan for high-carbon ferrochrome companies, and 800 yuan and 2,400 yuan for ferrosilicon companies.

Source: SMM

South Africa 40-42% chromium concentrate stood at $175-200/mt (bulk cargo), and $170/mt (in container). Prices of 42-44% concentrate were between $190-220/mt (bulk cargo). South Africa 38% chromium lump ore quoted $180-190/mt, 40-42% crude ore were quoted with $190-200/mt(bulk cargo). Turkey 46-48% chromium powder was at $230-240/mt, and Turkey 40-42% lump ore quoted $230-245/mt. The price of Iran 38-40% lump ore was $210/mt, Pakistan 40-42% lump ore was $210-220/mt. Zimbabwe 48-50% concentrate price moved between $210-220/mt (bulk cargo), and Oman 30% lump ore prices stood at $120/mt. The average growth price gain of overseas chrome ore futures was around $10/mt.

For more information and updates on the China nickel sector, please subscribe to China Nickel Weekly.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
32 mins ago
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
Read More
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
[SMM Nickel Flash] Based on nickel ore prices from 25 days ago, smelter profits for high-grade NPI remained high this week. However, from the current raw material side, ore prices from both the Philippines and Indonesia increased, while auxiliary material prices saw a slight pullback, leading to an increase in the cash cost of producing high-grade NPI from spot ore. At the same time, high-grade NPI prices experienced some pullback, making it difficult for smelter profits to see sustained improvement.
32 mins ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
34 mins ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
Read More
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, due to a sharp decline in futures triggering arbitrage selling, high-grade NPI prices fell significantly. However, after the selling activity subsided, upstream quotations and the market center gradually returned to normal levels, supported by cost factors. Looking ahead, as the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, market activity is expected to remain subdued, and high-grade NPI prices are projected to hover at highs with limited fluctuations.
34 mins ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
35 mins ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Read More
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
[SMM Nickel Flash] The SMM average price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 17.2 yuan/mtu WoW to 1,035.8 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), while the Indonesia NPI FOB index average price dropped 2.06 $/mtu WoW to 131.2 $/mtu. At the beginning of the week, futures hit limit-down, and nickel prices fell sharply WoW, driving the emergence of arbitrage supplies sold at low prices, leading to a significant decline in high-grade NPI prices.
35 mins ago