Asia. Chinese producers were seeking higher prices for spot cargoes in the week, though most say that they do not have much spot allocation available for booking.
Attention is already turning to the third quarter with Huntsman's announcement earlier this week regarding plans to increase its TiO2 prices globally, including a proposed price hike of €250/tonne in Europe from 1 July 2017 or as contracts allow.
Europe. An early bullish sentiment is emerging for European titanium dioxide in the third quarter, as the market tightness persists.
Imports of Chemours' material were still lower than last year - 4,300 tonnes versus 4,900 tonnes for the first four months of 2016.
News. 08/05/2017 Huntsman’s Venator plans US, global TiO2 increases. 08/05/2017 Global TiO2 demand growth will lag historical average – analyst. 08/05/2017 US Kronos swings to Q1 income on higher sales, lower costs. 09/05/2017 US Huntsman to seek investment-grade rating after TiO2 spin
Overall TiO2 imports into Russia dropped by 12% in the first four months of 2017 to 12,300 tonnes, compared to 13,900 tonnes a year earlier.
Prices of Chinese cargoes remain firmer than those of other international suppliers on the back of tight supply.
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