1. Titanium Ore
- Domestic market:
- Prices in the Panzhihua-Xichang region are largely stable.
- Market operation is gradually picking up; Pangang’s external ore supply resumes.
- 38% TiO₂ ore (tax excluded): ¥1,050–1,100/ton
- 46% TiO₂ ore (tax excluded): ¥1,550–1,650/ton
- 20% TiO₂ ore: ¥1,500–1,550/ton
- Downstream titanium dioxide (TiO₂) plants are restarting, but logistics issues keep operations below full capacity.
- Imported ore:
- Prices rising gradually: Kenmare TiO₂ 50% at $260/ton, Kenya TiO₂ at $225/ton.
- Limited spot supply; plant restarts are gradual due to worker absences, with prices 100–150 RMB/ton higher than pre-holiday levels.
2. Titanium Slag
- High-titanium slag:
- Stable prices; Liaoning 90% Ti slag (tax included) at ¥6,400/ton.
- Post-holiday production mostly resumed; raw ore costs rising, pressure on production costs is high.
- Downstream demand fell due to the epidemic; ordinary slag inventory pressures increased, limiting price growth. Low Ca-Mg slag remains tight, prices trend higher.
- Acid slag:
- Yunnan: ¥4,100–4,300/ton (tax included)
- Sichuan: ¥4,350–4,450/ton (tax included)
- Production delays and workforce issues have reduced output; tight raw material supply keeps prices high.
3. Titanium Tetrachloride (TiCl₄)
- Prices remain stable: ¥8,000–8,300/ton (tax included)
- Post-holiday adjustment: CITIC raised prices by ¥100/ton.
- Hubei enterprises delayed production due to the epidemic; other regions maintain normal output.
- Production and transport constraints in Hebei and southern regions reduce TiCl₄ output.
- Downstream production is affected by high raw material prices, keeping market prices firm.
4. Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂)
- Market is stable; production impacted by epidemic-related shutdowns and raw material shortages.
- Logistics delays lead to uneven supply and some inventory pressure.
- Chemours’ 2019 report shows inventory reduction due to price support policies and declining sales.
- Overseas TiO₂ inventories are low; domestic supply disruptions cause some concern abroad.
- As downstream activity gradually resumes, tight raw material supply may push TiO₂ prices upward.
5. Sponge Titanium
- Market prices stable; order intake is good.
- Epidemic-related transport restrictions and raw material shortages reduce production.
- Supply tightens; with downstream recovery and high raw material costs, market prices are expected to remain high.
Market Outlook
- Epidemic impact has eased this week.
- Government support for enterprise resumption boosts production.
- As downstream demand gradually recovers, the titanium market is expected to stabilize and trend upward.
Summary:
- Tight supply and rising raw material prices support stable to rising prices across titanium ore, slag, TiCl₄, TiO₂, and sponge titanium.
- Gradual downstream recovery and government measures to resume production are the key positive drivers.