Latest Update in the China Tungsten / Cobalt / Antimony Market

China's lithium carbonate imports stood at 9,676 mt in May, up 68% on the month and 13% on the year.

The trading market of silicon metal turned muted last week after metal prices rose the week before. And actual traded prices showed signs of falling as the goods holders were more willing to sell.

This is a roundup of China's metals weekly inventory as of June 24.

According to SMM statistics, domestic silicon wafer capacity is expected to increase by 122.5GW in 2022 on top the total capacity about 398GW at the end of 2021. In positive scenario, installed capacity of PV is likely to rise by 240 GW in 2022, based on which the overcapacity of silicon wafers may further aggravate.

Due to the follow-up impact of the fire accident happened to a polysilicon plant in Xinjiang and the local government requirements, a number of polysilicon production lines are forced to reduce or even suspend the production.

The prices of #553 silicon without oxygen and with oxygen stood at 18,000-18,200 yuan/mt and 18,800-19,000 yuan/mt respectively at Huangpugang Port, and the prices of #421 silicon were 20,000-20,300 yuan/mt.

Cargo holders raised the prices intensively, and silicon metal prices rose significantly last week. Prices of 553# silicon without oxygen stood at 17,300-17,400 yuan/mt in east China, up 1,550 yuan/mt or 10% on the week. 553# silicon with oxygen traded between 18,000-18,200/mt, up 1,600 yuan/mt or 10% on the week. 3303# silicon prices were 19,300-19,400 yuan/mt, up 1,050 yuan/mt or 6% on the week. The market sentiment improved as the prices of silicon without oxygen increased.

China's magnesium powder exports in May 2022 were 6,160.1 mt, an increase of 4.6% MoM and 5.4% YoY, and the year-to-date (YTD) exports decreased by 7.2% YoY.