International Bismuth and Cadmium Prices Continue Rising

Bismuth and cadmium prices continued increasing and hit new records at overseas markets on Friday. International bismuth price hit record US$ 14.00-14.50 per pound on Friday according to Reuters and Japanese domestic bismuth price exceeded 4,000 yen per kilogram. International cadmium price hit US$ 2.90-3.05 per pound on Friday, the highest in 16 years. Bismuth and cadmium markets seem to stay high due to active purchasing by European dealers under supply tightness.Bismuth price upped by US$ 0.50 per pound for 99.99% purity metal in European market on Friday from previous day, according to Reuters. The mid price jumped up by 118% compared with the beginning of this year. Bismuth supply maintains tight, which is by-product of lead metal, when lead metal production from ores represents little growth. Bismuth demand is increasing as a substitute material for lead, which is applied into free-cutting alloy metal bars, when lead usage is regulated by European environmental restriction. Bismuth price exceeded 4,000 yen per kg in Japanese domestic market. Trader source said bismuth demand continues increasing and the market could hit US$ 20 per pound. Cadmium price upped by US$ 0.20-0.25 per pound for 99.99% purity metal in European market on Friday from the previous day, according to Reuters. The mid price increased by about 8% from previous day. Cadmium metal supply became tight due to European smelters’ withdrawal from cadmium business, while the demand is increasing toward summer. European dealers seem to purchase cadmium actively with expectation the price surges up more.