Poor demand, titanium dioxide market continues to decline in June

Taking the sulfuric acid method rutile type titanium dioxide, which has a large volume of goods in the domestic market, as an example, according to data monitoring from Business Society, the domestic titanium dioxide market declined in June. On June 1st, the average price of titanium dioxide was 16366.67 yuan/ton yuan/ton, and on June 27th, the average price of titanium dioxide was 15850 yuan/ton, with a price reduction of 3.16%.

 

2、 Market analysis

 

The domestic titanium dioxide market continued to be weak in June. After the price reduction of Dragon Enterprises in the early days, prices of other enterprises followed the adjustment, and the titanium dioxide market was weak and downward. Overall, the market’s order taking situation remains weak in the middle of the month, with cautious procurement and a focus on just in need purchases. In the latter half of the year, the titanium dioxide market remained weak, and due to the rise in sulfuric acid prices, titanium ore was operating at a high level, putting pressure on the titanium dioxide market. As of now, most domestic sulfuric acid based rutile titanium dioxide quotations are between 15300 and 16200 yuan/ton; The quotation for rutile titanium dioxide is around 14500-15300 yuan/ton. The actual transaction price is negotiable.

 

Internationally, the situation of foreign trade exports is still acceptable. Currently, the European Commission has released the disclosure of facts before the preliminary judgment, but the final judgment result has not yet been known. The market is mostly cautious and wait-and-see. According to incomplete statistics, international titanium dioxide manufacturers such as Comus, Konos, Fannengtuo, Teno, and Shiyuan have successively issued price increase notices. Starting from July 1, 2024, the price of Komo titanium dioxide increased by $100/ton, the price of Konos titanium dioxide increased by $200/ton, the price of Fannengtuo titanium dioxide increased by $100/ton, the price of Teno titanium dioxide increased by $100/ton, and the price of Shiyuan titanium dioxide increased by $200/ton.

 

On a macro level, the initial draft of the European Commission’s anti-dumping duty on Chinese titanium dioxide on June 13th showed plans to impose tariffs of up to 39.7% on Longbai Group and its subsidiaries, 14.4% on Jinxing Titanium Industry (CNNC Titanium), and 39.7% on other Chinese titanium dioxide companies. At present, the specific final ruling result has not been released yet, and the degree of impact still depends on the final ruling result. Currently, the market is mainly cautious and wait-and-see.

 

According to customs data, in May 2024, China’s titanium dioxide exports reached 149300 tons, a decrease of 5.14% month on month and a year-on-year increase of 3.22%; In May, the export of titanium dioxide produced by sulfuric acid method reached 126300 tons, a month on month increase of 0.85%; In May, the export of titanium dioxide produced by chlorination was 23000 tons, a decrease of 28.48% compared to the previous month. From January to May 2024, China exported approximately 796200 tons of titanium dioxide, a year-on-year increase of 12.04%, and the export volume increased by approximately 85600 tons.

 

In May 2024, the import volume of titanium dioxide in China was 9082.03 tons, a year-on-year increase of 40.94% and a month on month increase of 34.12%; In May, the import of titanium dioxide produced by sulfuric acid method was 2194.52 tons, a decrease of 27.33% compared to the previous month; In May, the import of chlorinated titanium dioxide reached 6887.52 tons, an increase of 83.60% compared to the previous month. From January to May 2024, China imported approximately 40100 tons of titanium dioxide, an increase of 59.67% compared to the same period last year, and the import volume increased by approximately 15000 tons.

In terms of titanium concentrate, the market price of titanium concentrate in the Panxi region weakened in May. The production of titanium ore is basically stable, but the supply of raw ore is tight. However, the market for downstream titanium dioxide enterprises continues to be weak, with cautious trading in the titanium concentrate market and strong pressure on prices. They are resistant to high priced titanium concentrates, and upstream and downstream trading is mostly wait-and-see, resulting in a relatively stagnant market situation. As of now, the tax-free quotation for 38-42 grade titanium concentrate is around 1530-1550 yuan/ton, the tax-free quotation for 46 grade 10 titanium concentrate is around 2200-2230 yuan/ton, and the quotation for 47 grade 20 titanium concentrate is around 2500-2630 yuan/ton. In the short term, the price of Panxi titanium concentrate is mainly stable, and the specific actual transaction price will be negotiated separately.

 

According to customs data, in May 2024, China imported 421900 tons of titanium ore, an increase of 2.26% year-on-year and 28.42% month on month, with a monthly average price of 290.98 US dollars per ton; From January to May 2024, China imported approximately 1.9254 million tons of titanium ore, a year-on-year increase of 3.38%, and the import volume increased by approximately 62900 tons.

 

In May 2024, China exported 13321.20 tons of titanium ore, an increase of 785.95% year-on-year and 96.52% month on month; From January to May 2024, China exported approximately 35100 tons of titanium ore, a year-on-year increase of 158.46%, and the export volume increased by approximately 21500 tons.

 

In terms of sulfuric acid, the domestic sulfuric acid market prices increased in June. According to data monitoring from Business Society, the average price of sulfuric acid in China was 247.5 yuan/ton on June 1st, and 260 yuan/ton on June 27th. The monthly price has increased by 5.05%. Some acid plants in certain regions are still under maintenance this month, with a tight supply of sulfuric acid and a slight increase in prices; The recent increase in raw material sulfur prices has provided support for the cost of sulfuric acid. In the short term, the sulfuric acid market remains strong, and the actual transaction price is mainly negotiated.

 

3、 Future Market Forecast

 

Business Society Titanium Dioxide Analyst believes that this month, the price of titanium concentrate in the Panxi region first fell and then stabilized, and the sulfuric acid market price increased, resulting in increased cost pressure on titanium dioxide in the later period. The downstream market demand continues to be weak, and the market trading situation is light. Transactions are cautious and cautious, and titanium dioxide enterprises are under greater pressure to ship. It is expected that the trend of titanium dioxide will be weak and stable in the short term, and the actual transaction price will be negotiated based on downstream market demand.

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