Zircon sand outlook for 2025During 2024 the demand for zircon sand has been soft, mainly effected by the decline in the Chinese construction industry that accounts for 50% of the global zircon demand. The market has also seen the entry of 2 new Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC) suppliers during the last 12 months, which has led to a surplus of material. A trend over the last year has seen an increasing quantity of HMC being mined in Australia and shipped to China for refining to ilmenite and zircon. The price of premium grade (66%) zircon sand has remained just under USD 2000/mt over the last 12 months. The standard grade (65%) has started, and is finishing, the year around USD 1550/mt. The difference in price between the 2 grades has increased over the year due to a greater availability of the standard grade being refined in China. The medium term outlook for zircon continues to indicate a supply deficit beyond 2026 as mature operations, accounting for >50% of supply, start to decline their output and potentially close by the end of the decade. In the shorter term, during 2025, the market is expected to be similar to the last 12 months, with availability of material and pricing being stable. Zircon sand is the starting raw material for the majority of zirconium chemicals and zirconium oxides, and therefore the outlook for these materials is stable pricing during 2025 For further information about the zirconium products we offer please contact us at:- enquiries@zircomet.com Date : 05-11-2024 |
