Antimony: Global Industry Markets & Outlook (11th Edition)
LONDON, September 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
World antimony production peaked at 203,500t Sb in 2011, driven by continued growth in consumption in flame retardants and lead-acid batteries, according to a new study by Roskill. Growth in consumption is set to continue through 2012 and beyond, but how supply will match demand will depend on investment in new production over the medium term.
Consumption growth driven by flame retardants and lead-acid batteries
Growth in consumption has been led by high growth rates in Asia, particularly in China, over the past few years.
Overall, antimony demand remains highly dependent on the level of consumption of antimony trioxide in the flame retardants sector and antimony metal in lead-acid batteries. Roskill estimates that these two sectors accounted for nearly 80% of antimony consumption worldwide in 2011.
Non-metallurgical markets for antimony are forecast to increase by nearly 4% per year through to 2016 with higher growth for flame retardants, plastic catalysts and heat stabilisers tempered by lower growth in ceramics and other uses.
Metallurgical markets are forecast to increase by nearly 2% per year, as the antimony content of new lead-acid batteries continues to fall. Lead alloys will show higher rates of growth because of increasing usage in construction applications in emerging economies.
Chinese production under pressure
China remains by far the world's largest producer of primary antimony; six companies, including Hunan Hsikwangshan (Twinkling Star), Guangxi China Tin and Hunan Chenzhou Mining account for 90% of supply. Roskill estimates that China accounted for around 70% of official mine production in 2011, down from around 80% in earlier years. Production in China is unlikely to increase over the next few years and could even fall in the face of government determination to limit environmental damage from smaller operations.
Efforts to improve the environmental impact of the industry have led to a number of suspensions and closures at mines and smelters, with some plants unable to meet the costs of upgrading and improving their facilities. This, together with increasing crackdowns on illegal mining and smuggling, has contributed to volatile production levels. Roskill considers that illegal supply from China amounted to 15-20% of total world supply from 2008 to 2011. If the Chinese government is successful in halting or diminishing both illegal production and exports of antimony, the impact on global supply will be considerable.
Furthermore, whilst official Chinese statistics still report considerable reserves, independent estimates suggest that they might be reaching exhaustion, particularly in the area of Lengshuijiang City, the centre of antimony mining in China. Although some resources were discovered in 2011, very few deposits have been explored or developed in recent years. There is, therefore, an increasing need for China to import more concentrates from abroad to sustain levels of refined production.
New capacity could enter the market to meet growing demand
Increased production elsewhere is likely to offset any declines in Chinese production in the short term. Roskill has identified a number of significant additional sources of antimony concentrates in Europe, N. America, Africa and Oceania that could add over 14,000tpy Sb to world mine capacity within the next four years.
Most notably, Australian production could increase by as much as 5,500tpy if a buyer is found for the Hillgrove operation and if the new investors in Anchor Resources bring the Bielsdown deposit on stream. Meanwhile, production from Russia could be augmented by more than 2,500tpy if Rusant commissions its operations at the Ilinskoye deposit and should GeoPro Mining further expand its operations. Although at an early stage, developments in Turkey and Canada also have the potential to supply considerable quantities of antimony concentrates.
Developments in Bolivia and Mexico, and in the longer term Peru and Turkey, also have the potential to increase smelter capacity outside of China.
Volatility likely to continue as prices rise
Given China's dominant position as a producer, changes in Chinese government policy have been the most important factor affecting antimony prices since the early 1990s. Concerns over diminishing reserves in China, together with the cost to producers of environmental compliance, and increasing crackdowns on illegal mining and smuggling have all contributed to sharp price increases over the past few years.
Antimony prices increased steadily throughout 2010, as mine closures in China restricted global supplies, and reached their peak in March 2011. However, prices fell back as smelters came back online in Hunan, and as a result of continued weak demand in Europe and Japan. Subsequent smelter closures following environmental checks have since caused prices to increase periodically.
Continued growth in demand for antimony, especially trioxide, combined with the uncertainty over the ability of China to increase production because of resource and environmental limitations, means prices are likely to stay high and volatile. Prices for antimony trioxide could rise to US$15,000/t by 2016 (in 2011 dollar terms), eclipsing the US$13,000/t peak witnessed in 2011.
Antimony: Global Industry Markets & Outlook (11th Edition) is available at £,3500 / US$5,800 / €4,600 from Roskill Information Services Ltd, 54 Russell Road, London SW19 1QL UK.
Tel: +44(0)20-8417-0087. Fax +44(0)20-8417-1308
e-mail: info@roskill.co.uk. Web: http://www.roskill.com/antimony
Table of Contents
Page
1 Summary 1
1.1 Supply 1
1.1.1 Outlook for future supply 3
1.2 Demand 5
1.2.1 Outlook for future demand 6
1.3 Trade 6
1.4 Prices 7
1.4.1 Outlook for future prices 8
2 Introduction 10
2.1 Occurrence of antimony 10
3 Mining and processing of antimony 12
3.1 Mining and beneficiation 12
3.2 Smelting and chemical processing 12
3.3 Specifications 15
3.3.1 Antimony ores and concentrates 15
3.3.2 Antimony metal 15
3.3.3 Antimony compounds 17
4 Overview of the world supply of antimony 19
4.1 Supply 19
4.2 Recent developments 23
4.3 Supply forecast 25
5 Supply of antimony by country and company 28
5.1 Argentina 28
5.2 Australia 28
5.2.1 Mine production 28
5.2.1.1 Mandalay Resources 29
5.2.1.2 Potential producers 30
5.2.2 Secondary production 32
5.2.3 International trade 32
5.3 Austria 33
5.4 Belgium 34
5.4.1 Refined production 34
5.4.1.1 Campine 35
5.4.1.2 Umicore Precious Metals Refining 36
5.4.1.3 Sudamin Holdings 36
5.4.2 Secondary production 37
5.5 Bolivia 37
5.5.1 Mine production 38
5.5.1.1 Comité Boliviano de Productores de Antimonio 39
5.5.1.2 Cia Minera Salinas (COMISAL) 40
5.5.1.3 Empresa Minera Unificada (EMUSA) 40
5.5.1.4 New Developments 40
5.5.2 Refined production 41
5.5.3 International trade 41
5.6 Brazil 42
5.7 Bulgaria 42
5.8 Canada 43
5.8.1 Mine production 43
5.8.1.1 Beaver Brook Antimony Mine 43
5.8.1.2 New developments 44
5.8.2 Refined and secondary production 45
5.8.3 International trade 46
5.9 China 47
5.9.1 Government policy 48
5.9.1.1 Environmental and safety policy 49
5.9.1.2 Sector restructuring 50
5.9.2 Mine production 51
5.9.2.1 Licensing and quotas 52
5.9.2.2 Producing companies 53
5.9.2.3 Hunan Hsikwangshan Antimony Import & Export Co., Ltd 54
5.9.2.4 Guangxi China Tin Group Co., Ltd 54
5.9.2.5 Guangxi YoungSun Chemicals Co., Ltd (Guangxi Rixing) 55
5.9.2.6 Dongguan Jiefu Flame Retardant Material Co., Ltd 55
5.9.2.7 Hunan Chenzhou Mineral Co., Ltd 55
5.9.2.8 Changde Chenzhou Antimony Co., Ltd 56
5.9.2.9 Guangxi China Antimony Chemical Industry Co., Ltd 56
5.9.2.10 Yunnan Muli Antimony Co., Ltd 56
5.9.2.11 Guangxi China Antimony Scientific Technology Co., Ltd 56
5.9.2.12 DuShan Dufeng Antimony Co., Ltd 57
5.9.2.13 Hunan Zhongnan Antimony and Tungsten Trading Co., Ltd 57
5.9.2.14 Sichuan Xinju Mineral Resource Development Co., Ltd 57
5.9.2.15 Guangxi Gredman Guigang Fine Chemical Co., Ltd 57
5.9.2.16 Lanzhou Jinhai Antimony Co., Ltd 57
5.9.2.17 Dushan Dongfeng Mineral Co., Ltd 57
5.9.2.18 Hechi Nanfang Nonferrous Smelting Co., Ltd 58
5.9.2.19 Taojiang Jiutong Antimony Co., Ltd 58
5.9.2.20 Yiyang Huachang Antimony Co., Ltd 58
5.9.3 International trade 58
5.9.3.1 Export quotas 58
5.9.4 Imports of ores and concentrates 59
5.9.4.1 Antimony metal 62
5.9.4.2 Antimony oxides 64
5.1 Colombia 65
5.11 Czech Republic 65
5.12 France 66
5.12.1 Refined production 66
5.12.1.1 Produits Chimiques de la Lucette (PCDL) 67
5.12.1.2 Société Industrielle et Chimique de l'Aisne (SICA) 67
5.12.2 Secondary production 67
5.13 Germany 68
5.13.1 Refined production 68
5.13.2 Secondary production 69
5.14 Guatemala 70
5.15 India 70
5.16 Indonesia 71
5.17 Iran 71
5.18 Israel 71
5.19 Italy 72
5.19.1 Refined production 72
5.19.2 Secondary production 73
5.2 Japan 73
5.20.1 Refined production 74
5.20.1.1 Nihon Seiko 74
5.20.1.2 Other 75
5.20.2 International trade 75
5.21 Kazakhstan 77
5.21.1 Mine production 77
5.21.2 Secondary production 77
5.22 South Korea 77
5.23 Kyrgyz Republic 78
5.23.1 Mine production 78
5.23.2 Refined production 79
5.23.2.1 Kadamdzhai Antimony Works 79
5.24 Laos 81
5.25 Malaysia 81
5.26 Mexico 82
5.26.1 Mine production 82
5.26.1.1 US Antimony (USAC) 82
5.26.2 Refined production 83
5.26.3 Secondary production 84
5.26.4 International trade 84
5.27 Morocco 86
5.28 Myanmar 87
5.28.1 Mine production 87
5.29 Nigeria 89
5.3 Pakistan 89
5.31 Peru 89
5.32 Philippines 90
5.33 Poland 91
5.34 Romania 91
5.35 Russia 91
5.35.1 Mine production 92
5.35.1.1 GeoProMining 92
5.35.1.2 Novoangarsk 93
5.35.1.3 Khara Shibirsky Antimony Works 93
5.35.1.4 Zabaikalsky 93
5.35.1.5 Norilsk Nickel 94
5.35.1.6 Rusant 94
5.35.2 Refined production 95
5.35.2.1 Podolsk 95
5.35.2.2 Ryaztsvetmet 95
5.35.2.3 NPTs Electrum 95
5.35.3 Secondary production 96
5.35.4 International trade 96
5.36 Saudi Arabia 97
5.37 Serbia 97
5.38 Slovakia 98
5.39 South Africa 99
5.39.1 Mine production 99
5.39.2 Secondary production 100
5.39.3 International trade 101
5.4 Spain 101
5.41 Sri Lanka 102
5.42 Sweden 102
5.43 Switzerland 103
5.44 Taiwan 103
5.45 Tajikistan 103
5.45.1 Mine production 103
5.45.2 Refined production 104
5.46 Thailand 105
5.46.1 Mine production 105
5.46.2 Refined production 105
5.46.3 Secondary production 106
5.47 Turkey 106
5.47.1 Mine production 106
5.47.1.1 Özdemir Antimuan Madenleri 107
5.47.1.2 Cengiz Holding 107
5.47.1.3 Other 107
5.47.1.4 New developments 108
5.47.2 Refined production 108
5.47.3 International trade 109
5.48 United Arab Emirates 109
5.49 Ukraine 109
5.5 UK 110
5.51 USA 111
5.51.1 Mine production 111
5.51.2 Refined production 111
5.51.2.1 US Antimony (USAC) 111
5.51.2.2 Chemtura 112
5.51.2.3 Amspec Chemical 112
5.51.3 Secondary production 112
5.51.4 Stocks and stockpiles 113
5.51.5 International trade 114
5.52 Vietnam 115
5.53 Zimbabwe 116
6 International trade in antimony 117
6.1 Concentrates 117
6.2 Antimony metal 123
6.3 Antimony trioxide 131
7 World consumption of antimony 139
7.1 Consumption of antimony by end-use 140
7.2 Consumption of antimony by region 141
7.3 Consumption of antimony by form 144
7.3.1 Antimony trioxide 145
7.3.2 Antimony metal and antimonial lead 145
7.3.3 Sodium antimonate 146
7.4 Consumption of antimony by form and region 146
7.5 Forecast demand for antimony 148
8 Non-metallurgical applications 150
8.1 Overview 150
8.2 Flame retardants 150
8.2.1 Use of antimony trioxide in flame retardants 151
8.2.1.1 Overview of flame retardants 151
8.2.1.2 Antimony synergists 152
8.2.1.3 Halogen-free flame retardants 158
8.2.2 Major producers of flame retardants containing antimony 159
8.2.2.1 Albemarle 159
8.2.2.2 Chemtura 159
8.2.2.3 Israel Chemicals Limited (ICL) 159
8.2.2.4 Other producers 160
8.2.3 Consumption of flame retardants 160
8.2.4 Consumption of antimony in flame retardants 164
8.2.5 Outlook for flame retardants 166
8.2.5.1 Future trends in demand for flame retardants 166
8.2.5.2 Forecast demand for antimony in flame retardants 168
8.3 Other plastics additives 169
8.3.1 Use of antimony trioxide in polyester production 169
8.3.1.1 Resin PET 170
8.3.1.2 Textile PET 172
8.3.1.3 Outlook for PET demand 173
8.3.2 Use of antimony trioxide in PVC stabilization 174
8.3.2.1 Outlook for PVC demand 175
8.3.3 Use of antimony in catalysts and heat stabilisers 177
8.4 Glass and ceramics 178
8.4.1 Glass 178
8.4.2 Ceramics 179
8.4.3 Consumption of antimony in glass and ceramics 180
8.4.3.1 Glass 180
8.4.3.2 Ceramics 182
8.5 Pigments 184
8.6 Other non-metallurgical applications 185
8.7 Outlook for antimony in non-metallurgical end-uses 186
9 Metallurgical applications 187
9.1 Overview 187
9.2 Lead-acid batteries 190
9.2.1 Use of antimony in lead-acid batteries 191
9.2.2 Production of lead-acid batteries 192
9.2.3 Major producers of lead-acid batteries 194
9.2.4 Consumption of antimony in lead-acid batteries 195
9.2.5 Recycling of lead acid batteries 198
9.2.6 Outlook for lead-acid batteries 200
9.2.6.1 Future trends in demand for lead-acid batteries 200
9.2.6.2 Forecast demand for antimony in lead-acid batteries 202
9.3 Other metallurgical applications 203
9.3.1 Consumption of antimony in other metallurgical applications 204
9.3.1.1 Rolled and extruded lead 204
9.3.1.2 Shot and ammunition 206
9.3.1.3 Type metal 207
9.3.1.4 Bearing metals 207
9.3.1.5 Solders 208
9.3.1.6 Cable sheathing 211
9.3.1.7 Fusible alloys 212
9.3.1.8 Lead weights 212
9.3.1.9 Semiconductors 212
9.3.1.10 Copper alloys 213
9.3.1.11 Magnetic steels 214
9.3.2 Outlook for other metallurgical applications 214
9.4 Outlook for antimony in metallurgical end-uses 214
10 Antimony supply and demand balance to 2016 216
10.1 Antimony demand outlook 217
10.2 Antimony supply outlook 217
10.3 Supply and demand balance 221
11 Prices of antimony 222
11.1 Antimony ores and concentrates 223
11.2 Refined antimony 225
11.3 Outlook for the global antimony market 234
11.4 Outlook for antimony prices 236
Note to Editors
The report contains 239 pages, 122 tables and 84 figures. It provides a detailed review of the industry, with subsections on the activities of the leading producing companies. It also analyses consumption, trade and prices.
For further information on this report, please contact:
Robert Baylis (rbaylis@roskill.co.uk)
To be added to our press distribution list, please contact:
Isobel Jarvis (isobel@roskill.co.uk)
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