Domestic AlF3 operating rate has continuously decreased for several months, but it may see a slight increase in Q4 2013.
According to China Fluoride Materials China Monthly Report 1310 issued by CCM, the domestic average ex-works price of dry aluminum fluoride (AlF3) in Sept. 2013 was about USD1,200/t, increasing by 2.39% compared with that in Aug. 2013, when it stood at about USD1,172/t. Actually, the AlF3 price has been increasing for two months since Aug. 2013. The consecutive increase in the domestic AlF3 price was mainly attributed to the fact that AlF3 enterprises' inventory pressure in the two months was much smaller than before and the balance between AlF3 supply and demand began to return to normal level due to the low operating rate.
Domestic AlF3 operating rate kept quite low in 2013, especially in the first three months of H2 2013 when the average overall operating rate of domestic AlF3 enterprises decreased to about 27%. Moreover, some enterprises even suspended their production lines for maintenance. For instance, Do-Fluoride Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Do-Fluoride) suspended its AlF3 production lines from July 16 to Sept. 15, 2013.
The low operating rate of domestic AlF3 enterprises was mainly attributed to the severe oversupply and constantly decreasing price.
The domestic AlF3 industry saw a severe oversupply in H1 2013. The output of domestic AlF3 in 2012 was about 621,500 tonnes, which has largely exceeded the domestic market demand, about 500,000 tonnes. In 2013, the situation is still not improved. The total output of AlF3 in H1 2013 still exceeded 292,000 tonnes. Moreover, the market demand for AlF3 from its downstream industries, such as electrolytic aluminum, kept stable. In H1 2013, the operating rate of domestic electrolytic aluminum enterprises was lower than 70%, which reduced their purchase of AlF3. Therefore, the abnormal balance between AlF3's supply and demand reduced its operating rate.
In addition, the AlF3 price in China decreased during the period, which was almost close to its production cost and led to losses of most enterprises. The low price made AlF3 enterprises reduce their operating rate so that they can suffer less loss in the difficult situation.
In the rest three months of 2013, the average operating rate of domestic AlF3 enterprises may see a slight increase. At present, there are more than 30 AlF3 producers in China, but only about 10 are still in operation. However, the continuously increasing AlF3 price in Aug. and Sept. 2013 will promote the enterprises to resume their production or improve their output to catch the profitable opportunity. Moreover, in the next three months, the AlF3 price may also continually witness a slight increase because of its increasing production cost. The price of fluorite, a raw material of AlF3, accounts for 40% of the production cost of AlF3, may increase in the next three months because the upcoming cold weather in northern China may largely reduce the output of fluorite, raising its price.
Table of contents of China Fluoride Materials Monthly Report 1310:
Fuan Pharmaceutical to invest in a fluorite mine
Domestic R22 price increases by 3.54% in Sept. 2013
Arkema to build a new plant to produce HFO-1234yf
Shandong Huaan receives USD0.49 million for its R125 project
Domestic AlF3 operating rate to increase in Q4 2013
Electronic grade fluroide producers jointly appeal for adjustments of tax regulations
PTFE suspension medium size particle resin price up by 17.32% in Sept. 2013
New domestic subsidy policy for new energy vehicles to drive demand for LiPF6
Import and export analysis of fluoride chemicals in China in Aug. 2013
Domestic ex-works prices of most fluoride materials in Sept. 2013
China Fluoride Materials Monthly Report, a monthly publication issued by CCM on 20th, covers the sectors on policy & legislation, company dynamic, supply & demand, price update, etc. of China’s fluoride material market. You can keep pace with the latest dynamics through its timely, complete and professional report.
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