The price of zircon sand has remained steady over Q1 2012 with average prices at USD 2600/mt. Demand for Australian sand has been more sluggish due to a premium of USD 200-300 over alternative origin material.
Due to a combination of tight supply and Iluka's initiating quarterly increases, the price of zircon sand has risen sharply in recent months. While official pricing may still be reported as USD 1500/mt many factories in China are reporting levels of USD 2000-2500/mt as premiums are being paid for available material. Iluka has also just announced official pricing for large contract customers will be USD 1800/mt CIF China for Q2 2011. Most consumers in China have had to accept a lower level of sand than they require in Q1 of this year and this is expected to be the same, if not worse, in Q2 2011.
China is the world's largest producer of Zirconium Chemicals and Zirconium Oxides, supplying in the region of 75% of the global demand. The tight supply of zircon sand means prices for all these zirconium based products have also risen sharply.
Zircon sand is the starting raw material for the production of the majority of Zirconium Chemicals and Zirconium Oxides, including Zirconium Oxychloride, Zirconium Basic Sulphate, Zirconium Basic Carbonate, Zirconium Acetate, Zirconium Nitrate, Zirconium Oxide, Yttria Stabilised Zirconia. For further information on Zirconium Chemicals and Zirconium Oxides, please contact us on: Tel +44 (0)1440 709709, enquiries@abscomaterials.com.
