U.S. Gulf:
Last-done Gulf import sulfuric acid continued to be voiced in a $150-$155/mt CFR range, steady from the prior report. A $190/mt CFR transaction rumored in talks one week earlier remained unconfirmed on June 10, although sources pointed to a recent climb into the $190s/mt CFR at Brazil as indicative of where the U.S. market is likely headed.
Gulf Coast:
Annual Gulf Coast sulfuric acid contracts were reported at $85-$110/st DEL.
Century Aluminum (Chicago, Ill.), which bills itself as the largest U.S. primary aluminum producer, on June 3 announced expanded operations at the company’s Mt. Holly smelter in South Carolina, the Associated Press reported. A $60 million capital investment will allow up 100 new hires, potentially allowing for a restart of one of the facility’s stopped potlines.
The Mt. Holly facility was nearly mothballed in December 2020 after Century was repeatedly unable to strike a deal with local utility provider Santee Cooper for lower electricity rates. The companies announced a new three-year contract in March, allowing Mt. Holly to remain in operation.
Midwest:
Midwest contract levels continued to be reported at $85-$110/st DEL for 2021 agreements, sources said, unmoved from the prior report.
West Coast:
West Coast contracts for 2021 persisted in a $100-$130/st DEL range, steady from one week earlier.
Brazil:
Sources noted Brazil import pricing moving into the $190s/mt CFR for the week, an increase from $180-$185/mt CFR at last check.
China:
Primary lead smelters located in Henan, Hunan, and Yunnan provinces operated at 50.9 percent for the week ending June 4, Shanghai Metals Market reported, down 0.1 percentage points from 60 percent reported for the prior week.
The drop was attributed to the start of planned maintenance at the Yunnan Hongqian facility. Slight production increases were noted from Henan Shibin, while easing restrictions on hydrologic power used by privately-owned smelters in Yunnan were projected to trigger additional increases in June and July.