China’s Pr-Nd alloy output in December was 5,574 mt, up 1.2% MoM.
Supported by a large buyer’s orders, the operating rate in Inner Mongolia increased by 3 percentage points MoM to 75%. According to SMM statistics, Pr-Nd alloy price fell to 540,000 yuan/mt in December, down 47,500 yuan/mt MoM. Pr-Nd alloy price kept dipping after New Year's Day. Traded price of Pr-Nd alloy dropped to 510,000 yuan/mt recently. Magnetic material companies who were in strong wait-and-see mood made few inquiries, keeping dragging down Pr-Nd alloy price. Low operating rate of magnetic materials makers will leave Pr-Nd alloy plants with limited incentive to produce goods in January. SMM will continue to pay attention to the start-up of new capacity in northern China.
