Bulk Refractory Raw Materials Market Analysis, February 2025
Mar 28,2025
Refractory window data show: in February, silicon carbide rose, corundum, mullite fell, magnesium sand rose and fell steadily coexisted, bauxite, flake graphite is stable.
[Corundum] Corundum prices are all down
Industrial alumina began to fall since December 2024, and continued to fall by RMB 2,400 / tonne. Industrial alumina stopped falling on February 21, with Shandong taking the lead in bottoming out.Thus led to the white corundum, sintered corundum in February in the first half of the price reduction of more than 1,500 / ton, the second half of the decline in the reduction, but the integrated decline in 1,850-1,900 yuan / ton. At present, the price of four sections of white corundum sand is 5,100-5,200 yuan/ton, and the price of four sections of sintered corundum sand is 5,100-5,400 yuan/ton.
Driven by white corundum and sintered corundum's significant price cuts, brown corundum also saw a 100-200 yuan/ton drop, and the reference price of four-section sand was at 5,100-5,300 yuan/ton, which was again higher than that of white corundum.
Corundum enterprises have resumed production, but there are many inquiries and few transactions.
[Mullite] Alumina-based electrofused mullite price reduction
The price of 75 alumina-based electrofused mullite decreased by RMB 1,400 / tonne, also due to the impact of the sharp decline in industrial alumina prices. While 60 / 70 bauxite-based sintered mullite did not show much fluctuation and remained stable for the time being.
[Bauxite] Bauxite market stable for the time being
Bauxite supply is slightly loose, but the price is still at a high level, so bauxite prices have not fluctuated for the time being. However, bauxite quality due to uneven ore quality and fluctuations, to the user's application has brought greater inconvenience to the purchaser more on-site to see the goods. And bauxite enterprises to buy ore are basically cash, and bauxite old customers more account period, resulting in bauxite enterprise capital turnover is not good, so gradually pay customers to put forward new requirements.
[Scalar Graphite] Scalar Graphite Market is Weak and Stable
Northeast flake graphite enterprises have not yet fully resumed production, on the one hand, is in the winter maintenance period, on the other hand, is also related to the weak demand, and lower profits, the enterprise start-up enthusiasm is not high, if the market continues to be downturn, part of the enterprise may not even be able to start.
[Magnesium sand] Electromelta magnesium sand price increase, high purity magnesium sand stable, heavy burning, medium grade magnesium sand drop
The performance of sintered magnesia varies. Because of the white coal and other prices have fallen, cost pressure slightly reduced, heavy burnt magnesia slightly reduced by 50 yuan / ton, mid-range magnesia benchmark price down by 100 yuan / ton, while high-purity magnesia has been adjusted back before, so this time for the time being unadjusted.
While the electrofusion magnesium sand is rising again. There is news that the cancellation of peak and valley leveling tariffs in March, electricity prices are expected to rise 0.15 yuan / degree, and its to more, in order to cope with future cost increases, electrofusion magnesium sand head enterprises have to raise the offer, the rate of increase in the 200-500 yuan / ton ranging.
In addition, magnesite resources mining continued to control, ore prices run high, providing cost support for magnesium sand. However, the demand side of magnesium sand has not been signs of warming, fused magnesium sand whether it can raise prices as desired is still unknown.
[Silicon Carbide] Silicon Carbide price increase one after another
Due to the treatment of refining cost increases, silicon carbide set off a price increase boom. Sources said, Gansu region electricity prices increased by 0.04 yuan / degree, the cost increased by 600 yuan / ton. Superimposed on the petroleum coke supply shortage, prices continue to rise factors, silicon carbide prices rose 200-300 yuan / ton range.
News source: China Refractories Industry Association
Statistical data sources:Refractories Window