Indium Market Price in Weak Mood, Tokyo

Indium market price keeps flat in weak mood around Tokyo. The price is around 25,000-30,000 yen per kilogram for indium used as a solder alloy material, though which stayed at around 30,000 yen during May-June. International market price surveyed by Reuters, the indicator, lowered by 8% to $ 285-325 per kg last week from previous $ 300-350.

Makers’ production of ITO (indium-tin-oxide) target material is recovering. Nippon Mining & Metals, the largest ITO producer, recently entered full operation. Meanwhile, ITO makers are still negative to procure indium newly while consuming their own indium inventories. The market price isn’t stimulated.

Market demand for indium seems gradually increasing from solder and solar cells. A rare metal trader said the market price is now at the bottom level and the users would increase the purchase volume step by step.

On the other hand, Chinese government recently lowered its export tariff on indium and stopped increasing of national indium stockpile. These are negative factors for the international market price. The market price is unlikely to rebound strongly before sputtering target material makers finish inventory adjustment.