China's Antimony Ingot Output Remains on a Downward Path

SHANGHAI, Feb 9 (SMM) - According to SMM survey, China's antimony ingot (including antimony ingot, converted crude antimony, cathode antimony, etc.) output in January fell sharply by 15.83% MoM to 6,304 mt.

On the one hand, the surging infections after the eased covid-19 control measures at the end of last year caused many workers to take a rest, taking toll on the operating rates of producers in early January. On the other hand, many manufacturers had to cut or halt the production due to raw material shortages and low operating rates. The delayed production was also compounded by the Chinese New Year break. Therefore, the overall production of antimony ingots in China recorded a steep fall in January.

So far, the tight supply of antimony still persists. It seems that both domestic and overseas supply of antimony ore will not advance in the foreseeable future, which will provide a solid support for a steady increase in antimony prices.

In terms of production details of individual manufacturers, among the 32 respondents in SMM survey, 14 manufacturers suspended the production, up by 4 from the previous month; 13 reduced their production, down by 5; and 5 maintained normal production, one fewer than in last December.

These figures tell that the production has been increasingly concentrated with the centration of raw materials.

SMM predicts that the supply-demand structure of the domestic antimony market in February will not be overturned under the current economic situation and the antimony ingot output is anticipated to decline further on a monthly basis.