Tellurium Market Update (February 6, 2013)

Prices of pure, refined tellurium fell again this month, gathering little steam from news of China’s growing plans for solar capacity.

In contrast, prices from Rotterdam-based traders stabilized, falling back down to US$100/kg — a low point last reached in August 2012 — despite a small demand resurgence in the intervening months.

Prices for the metal, which is increasingly being used in solar panels and computing and thermoelectronic technologies, have fallen substantially compared to this time last year, when highs bids for the metal reached $300/kg.

The upcoming Chinese New Year has also pulled back demand for the metal in China, where high bids for tellurium declined to 1,050 renminbi (US$168.54). It is also possible to obtain the metal at prices as low as 1,000 renminbi (US$160.51), Metal-Pages reported.