An update from the air separation industry, 20160717: Overall operation rate remains low; prices in the southern region have risen sharply

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The overall production rate is low, while prices in the southern region have risen sharply. In the second week of July, the market for liquid argon continued to show upward momentum, with prices increasing significantly in many areas. According to a survey conducted by Zhuochuang Information across China’s 29 provinces (provinces and autonomous regions), as of Thursday the average national price of liquid argon was 765 yuan per ton, up 7% from the previous period and 14.35% higher than the same time last year. This week, 11 market prices rose, with the northern markets remaining largely stable. North China region: In the Hebei market, companies have once again reduced production due to commemorative activities for the Tangshan earthquake, but prices have not changed for now; the average ex-factory price is 350–450 yuan per ton, while in cities such as Handan and Zhangjiakou it is 500–550 yuan per ton. Shipments in the Tianjin market are low, with the mainstream ex-factory price remaining stable at 400–450 yuan per ton. The market in Shanxi has remained unchanged, with the mainstream ex-factory price staying at 450–500 yuan per ton. The Inner Mongolia market remains relatively stable, with the mainstream ex-factory price ranging from 400 to 420 yuan per ton. The Northeast and Northwest markets remained stable. East China: Driven by tight supply, the market in Shandong sees the mainstream ex-factory price rise to 700–850 yuan/ton. In the Anhui market, Baosteel’s output is low, leading to rising prices; the mainstream selling price is 680–800 yuan per ton. The price in the Jiangsu market remains stable at 880–950 yuan per ton. The price in the Zhejiang market is 850–950 yuan per ton. Shipments in the Shanghai market remained stable at 1,030–1,050 yuan per ton. Inventory levels in the Jiangxi market are low, driving prices up to 960–1100 yuan per ton. Affected by the shutdowns of steel companies downstream, prices in Fujian remain low. In the Central China region, influenced by factors in the surrounding areas, the market there saw slight increases this week. In the Henan market, prices in Jiyuan as well as those for Shaanxi Blower have increased, but the volume of trade is relatively low. The mainstream export price ranges from 500 to 650 yuan per ton, while in the Xinyang area the price remains stable at 700 yuan per ton. In the Hubei market, Wuhan Iron and Steel Company has a low production rate and virtually no inventory; the price at the factory has increased by 100 yuan to 1,250 yuan per cubic meter, while there have been no changes at other companies for now. The mainstream outbound prices in the Hunan market have seen a steady increase, reaching 850–950 yuan per ton. South China and Southwest China: Driven up by rising prices in neighboring areas, prices also increased in South China; the purchase price in the Guangdong market rose by about 100 yuan per ton, reaching 1350–1450 yuan per ton. The price in the Guangxi market has risen to around 1,100 yuan per ton, with further increases expected. In the southwestern region, the price remains stable; in the Guizhou market it has risen slightly to around 500 yuan per ton, while in the Sichuan market it stays at 700–800 yuan per ton. In the Chongqing market, the price remains between 550–700 yuan per ton. The mainstream price in the Yunnan market is 450–500 yuan per ton.