SMM

Last week, prices for high-purity quartz sand's inner and outer layers remained steady, while the price for the middle layer began to show a slight decline. Industry leaders price inner layer sand at 390,000 to 440,000 yuan/mt, middle layer sand at 190,000 to 210,000 yuan/mt, with the higher end of the range reduced by 20,000 yuan/mt. And outer layer sand at 80,000 to 120,000 yuan/mt, with some suppliers quoting 50,000 yuan/mt. As crucible prices began to fall and stocks began to grow, the profit margins of crucible makers were squeezed, undermining their interest in quartz sand purchase. Consequently, the price of the middle layer sand began to drop, with potential for further declines. Domestic high-purity quartz sand prices may begin to fall in Q1. With imported sand costs reasonable, crucible firms are buying more than last year, pressuring domestic sand prices.