Titanium Dioxide Prices Rose, Titanium Slag Prices Fell, and Titanium Ore Prices Held Steady [SMM Titanium Spot Market Brief]

SMM April 10 update:

1. Titanium slag:

On April 10, SMM quotations showed that titanium slag prices overall trended downward. High-titanium slag prices stood at 5,100-5,300 yuan/mt, unchanged from the previous day. Acid-soluble titanium slag prices declined, with Sichuan acid-soluble titanium slag falling from yesterday's 4,120-4,270 yuan/mt to 3,760-4,270 yuan/mt, and Yunnan acid-soluble titanium slag also dropping from yesterday's 3,800-3,950 yuan/mt to 3,750-3,950 yuan/mt.

Overall, the titanium slag industry showed moderate prosperity, with limited profit margins for producers. However, considering the downside room for raw material titanium ore prices, titanium slag prices are expected to decline slightly.

2. Titanium tetrachloride:

Titanium tetrachloride prices rose today, increasing from yesterday's 5,000-5,300 yuan/mt to 5,200-5,500 yuan/mt.

Overall, supply side, producers' operating rates remained stable; chlorine gas fluctuations were relatively small, titanium slag prices edged down slightly, and cost fluctuations were not significant. Demand side, downstream procurement proceeded steadily with notable rigid demand support, and titanium tetrachloride prices are expected to remain stable.

3. Titanium ore:

Today, titanium ore prices remained stable and unchanged from yesterday. Specifically, 46% titanium concentrate was priced at 1,500-1,550 yuan/mt, 47% titanium concentrate at 1,800-1,900 yuan/mt, 46% grade Mozambique imported ore at 1,670-1,730 yuan/mt, 50% grade Nigerian imported titanium concentrate at 1,780-1,830 yuan/mt, and 50% grade Australian imported titanium concentrate at 1,830-1,880 yuan/mt.

Overall, titanium concentrate prices remained relatively stable and are expected to hold steady. However, affected by geopolitical factors, ocean freight rate fluctuations were significant. In the medium and long-term, imported titanium ore costs may rise.

4. Titanium dioxide:

Titanium dioxide prices rose overall this week. Anatase titanium dioxide mainstream quotations edged up from last Friday's 13,800-14,200 yuan/mt to 14,000-14,500 yuan/mt, with particularly notable gains over the past two days. Rutile titanium dioxide quotations continued to rise, with today's mainstream price range at 15,500-17,000 yuan/mt. Chloride-process titanium dioxide quotations were relatively stable this week but also edged up slightly today, holding steady at 16,500-17,000 yuan/mt.

Looking at this week's market, the titanium dioxide industry maintained stable operations overall, with no significant changes in supply-demand dynamics. However, cost side, due to the continued rise in upstream sulphuric acid prices, overall titanium dioxide prices are expected to maintain an upward trend.