In 2018, the total output of 39 full-scale titanium dioxide enterprises that can maintain normal production in China was 29538,000 tons, an increase of 84,000 tons compared with 2017, an increase of 2.94%.

Of the total output of 2.953 million tons, rutile type accounted for 22.92 million tons, accounting for 77.61%; anatase type for 507.6 million tons, accounting for 17.18%; other titanium dioxide products such as non-pigment products accounted for 154,000 tons, accounting for 5.21%.

On January 22, the fluorite commodity index was 123.51, which was the same as yesterday. It was 3.12% lower than the cyclical peak of 127.49 points (2019-01-03), and 150.99% higher than the lowest point of 49.21 on December 18, 2016. (Note: Period refers to 2011-09-01 to date)

According to statistics, the recent domestic fluorite price trend is temporarily stable, the average domestic fluorite price as of 23 days is 3520 yuan/ton. Due to the impact of strict environmental protection inspection, some domestic fluorite plants have been shut down in the near future, while the supply of fluorite in the field has been relatively reduced, but the recent downstream market is not good, and the price of fluorite market has slightly declined. In addition to the low temperature, the low start-up rate of fluorite flotation units in the North has aggravated the shortage of domestic fluorite supply. In the southern fluorite market, the start-up of devices has also been reduced, and the supply of fluorite in the field is tight, but the downstream terminal receipt is not active, resulting in a slight drop in market prices. As of 23 days, the price of 97 fluorite wet powder in Inner Mongolia was 3200-3600 yuan/ton, the mainstream of 97 fluorite wet powder in Fujian was 3400-3700 yuan/ton, the price of 97 fluorite wet powder in Henan was 3300-3600 yuan/ton, and that of 97 fluorite wet powder in Jiangxi was 3200-3600 yuan/ton. The price of fluorite was slightly lower.

Fluorite downstream hydrofluoric acid market price trend is temporarily stable, as of 23 days domestic hydrofluoric acid market price is 12625 yuan/ton, hydrofluoric acid market price slightly declined short domestic fluorite price market. In addition, the upstream refrigerant products have more maintenance devices, the demand for upstream fluorite and hydrofluoric acid has weakened, the recent downstream refrigerant trading market has declined, and the price of hydrofluoric acid products has slightly declined. Recent market of refrigerant in downstream terminal market has been cool, with R22 refrigerant facility starting at 70%, R22 refrigerant facility starting rate declining, bulk water outlet quotation of main production enterprises declining to 17500-18500 yuan/ton, but there is no bulk water spot in the production enterprises, mostly with a small amount of cylinders shipped. In addition, the actual demand side of the market has declined, and the shipment market trend is poor. The domestic market price of R134a is slightly lower, the start-up rate of production enterprises is lower, the market demand for refrigerants is weakened, and manufacturers mainly export their products. However, the on-site transaction price does not change much, and the merchants purchase on demand. Recently, due to the impact of equipment maintenance, the upstream market demand for hydrofluoric acid has weakened. Generally speaking, there are many downstream negative factors, but because of the poor start-up of fluorite market devices and the high price of fluorite, Business Analyst Chen Ling believes that the price of fluorite market may be slightly lower due to the weakening downstream demand.

Kuala Lumpur, Jan. 22: Malaysian spot tin prices fell by $50 Tuesday to $20,600 a ton, Trading Volume 65 tons, 40 tons in the previous trading day.

J-S Jacques, chief executive of Rio Tinto Group, said: “In the last quarter of 2018, we achieved solid business performance, especially in our copper assets. Last year, we further strengthened our portfolio and continued to invest in high-quality growth projects. In 2018, we completed the Amrun bauxite project ahead of schedule, started the AutoHaul (%) project, approved the investment in Koodaideri and Robe River projects, and signed the Oyu Tolgoi power supply agreement. Meanwhile, we have completed a $8.6 billion divestiture of assets, including the Grasberg copper and gold mine in Indonesia and our remaining coal assets. We will strictly implement the strategy of “value is higher than output”, strictly allocate capital, continue to promote the strategic objectives of the company, and provide shareholders with high returns in the short, medium and long term.

In 2018, Pilbara iron ore shipments amounted to 338 million tons (100% equity basis), an increase of 2% over the whole year of 2017.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, Rio Tinto announced the successful launch of the automatic train system in the Pilbara mining area, approved a $2.6 billion investment in Koodaideri, and approved an investment of $1.55 billion to maintain the capacity of Robe River Joint Venture, a joint venture that Rio Tinto owns 53% of and will invest $820 million in.

The bauxite output in 2018 was 50.4 million tons, 1% lower than that in 2017. Third-party shipments increased by 2% to 32.8 million tons. In the fourth quarter of last year, production declined in the short term as a result of the commissioning work of the Guinean Bauxite Company (CBG) and the transfer of operations from East Weipa bauxite to Amrun bauxite in Queensland.

The output of electrolytic aluminium was 3.5 million tons, down 3% from 2017, mainly due to the continuing interruption of labor supply at the non-Rio Tinto-managed Becancour Smelter in Canada.

The output of copper is 634,000 tons, 33% higher than that in 2017, and higher than the guidance interval. It mainly reflects the strong performance of Escondida and the increased production of Kennecott, a higher quality copper mine.

The output of high titanium slag is 1.1 million tons, which is 15% less than that of last year. The reason was the disruption of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane’s production in the second quarter and the intermittent shutdown caused by the labor dispute between the contractor of Richards Bay Minerals and its employees in the first half of last year.

Iron Ore Company of Canada produced 4% more in the fourth quarter than in the fourth quarter of 2017. However, production in 2018 was 20% lower than that in 2017, as the strike at the mine severely affected production in the second quarter.

Other milestones in the quarter included the first shipment of bauxite by Amrun bauxite six weeks ahead of schedule, and the signing of the Framework Agreement on Electricity Purchase by Oyu Tolgoi and the Mongolian Government.

Price Trend

Business associations: This week, the maleic anhydride market maintained a steady consolidation trend (1.14-1.18)

According to data from business associations, the average price of maleic anhydride offer by the end of the weekend was 7,100.00 yuan/ton (including tax), and the offer was steadily rising.

II. Market Analysis

Product: This week, the domestic maleic anhydride market as a whole showed a steady trend of rising.

Industry chain: First of all, the domestic unsaturated resin start-up rate has decreased this week, the main intention of replenishment before the Spring Festival is cautious, but the short-term periphery is good, the domestic maleic anhydride market maintains high and strong; secondly, the focus of maleic anhydride factory quotation in mainstream areas is explored. Due to the support of crude oil production reduction, the performance of peripheral news is still acceptable, the price of raw material n-butane is stable, the cost pressure of the plant is supported, and the selling quotation is slightly increased. The price of maleic anhydride has been loosened due to the rise of pure benzene. However, in the short term, the profit margins of maleic anhydride from benzene and butane processes are difficult to improve; finally, the demand of downstream terminals is not good, and the factories are mainly on the lookout.

3. Future Market Forecast

At present, domestic maleic anhydride market profit has not changed much. It is expected that the overall market will continue to consolidate next week. Individual small rises, or the overall price will be the same as this week, according to the analyst of maleic anhydride products of Business Society Chemical Branch.