Aluminium fluoride prices soared in June backed by tight supplies: SMM

Shanghai Metals Market found that the prices of aluminium fluoride across Chinese markets inched up in June, backed by the suspension of fluoride mining in Inner Mongolia that buoyed the prices of raw material used in producing aluminium fluoride. 

AF-1 aluminium fluoride was quoted above RMB 10,000 per tonne at the end of June, up by some RMB 1,000 per tonne from the price at the beginning of the month. However, no deal is done yet at that price level.

Tight supply in the market is one of the reasons that led to the increase in fluoride prices by some RMB 200 per tonne to RMB 3,300 per tonne on a Hunan delivery-to-plant basis. Hunan, together with Henan and Shandong are the major aluminium fluoride-making areas in China.

Seaborne materials, on the other hand, are not likely to help to ease the supply shortage as the quality coming overseas is of low grade.

Fluoride prices also received a boost from refrigerant that saw price rise to RMB 11,000 per tonne due to expanded demand in summer.

Large aluminium producers, such as Aluminium Corporation of China Limited (Chalco), are yet to announce their latest purchasing prices of aluminium fluoride, which kept producers of such materials cautious about quoting. Most quotes were heard at RMB 10,000 per tonne to RMB 10,500 per tonne.

The possibility of the restart of fluoride mines is likely to delay further as local authorities have stepped up their environmental protection efforts before the 70th anniversary of China’s founding in October.