Ferro-titanium Prices Could Be Set to Rise

Ferro-titanium prices held on Wednesday January 4 as market participants predicted a squeeze amid tightening availability. Material traded at $7-7.25 per kg on a delivered basis, unchanged since December 23, when prices rose 10 cents at the low end of the range and 15 cents on the
high. “It’s threatening to go up but it hasn’t done it yet. There could be a bit of a squeeze [on ferro-titanium]: scrap seems to have dried up considerably,” a market source told Metal Bulletin.

Buyers have found it difficult to obtain material this week because many market participants have not yet returned to the market after the Christmas holidays, sources said.“There’s not much material available and not many sales people in the office,” a trader said. “I think we might have a bit of a squeeze on ferro-titanium,” a second trader agreed.

One enquiry in particular caused a flurry of activity on Wednesday, a second market source told Metal Bulletin.“There was a guy this morning ringing everyone and his dog. So all the minor traders get involved and you end up with everyone calling you for the same load,” the source said.