Zircon prices, for both premium and standard grades, are still softening as the global economic crisis continues to hit many of its consumer industries, particularly in Europe and North America.
Prices for premium grade zircon started 2009 at $1,000-1,050/tonne and slipped back in May to $925-950/tonne, and then to $900-950/tonne, all FOB Australia. This was after climbing steadily for the previous 12-to-18 months.
Prices are currently being reported in the $850-900/tonne range, CIF Europe, down from $950-1,000/tonne just six months ago, according to market sources.
In December there were whispers of Australian FOB prices of less than $800/tonne for standard grade zircon, indicating that market prices could have further to fall this quarter.
Australian consultancy, TZMI, predicts that there are higher than normal inventory levels for the beginning of the year, giving rise to a supply surplus in 2010.
Meanwhile, European ceramics and refractories sectors are still facing tough times, and according to one source: “Margins are extremely tight for zircon flour at the moment and prices are not a lot more than sand prices.”
Opacifier prices are not fairing much better, also hovering close to sand prices.
In many cases, ceramic producers are trying different ways to reduce the zircon content of their glazes to reduce costs.
One source told IM that the current trend towards shallow curved basins, some with undulations on the bottom, has meant that the manufacturers can use a much lower proportion of zircon in the glaze.
The shading in the basin means that the customer doesn't notice the slightly less than pure white finish, the source added.
However, it is not a five minute solution to completely substitute zircon into a ceramic mix, as any replacement brings with it a new set of parameters and takes between 18 months and two years to bring into production.
The ceramics industry and other sectors, such as investment casting, are currently looking at ways of potentially substituting zircon for more cost effective products.
本文转自：China Industry News
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