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ChinaQ1 2025
In Q1 2025, Antimony prices in China rose to USD 34,825/MT, FOB Shanghai, representing a robust 17.8% increase from the previous quarter. This sharp price escalation was largely attributed to China’s continued export restrictions, stricter environmental regulations, and lower domestic mine output, all of which tightened supply and heightened competition among buyers.
As a result, global market sentiment turned decidedly bullish, with downstream markets in the Netherlands, India, and the USA experiencing heightened price pressures, intensified procurement activity, and increased volatility. Across these regions, buyers responded to the supply constraints and rising costs by accelerating stockpiling and seeking alternative sourcing strategies, reinforcing the upward momentum in antimony prices during the quarter.
Q4 2024
By the fourth quarter, antimony prices reached their peak for the year, driven by a culmination of supply-side challenges and sustained global demand. In China, limited mine output and export restrictions kept the market extremely tight, with buyers scrambling to secure supplies. The Netherlands continued to act as a critical redistribution center for European and global buyers, with trading activity remaining brisk.
In India, the high cost of imports prompted some end-users to seek substitutes or reduce consumption where possible, while in the USA, strategic stockpiling by manufacturers further intensified the competition for available material. The overall market sentiment was tense, with persistent supply constraints and strong industrial demand keeping prices at elevated levels.
Q3 2024
The third quarter was characterized by continued strength in antimony prices as supply shortages became more pronounced. In China, production disruptions due to environmental inspections and temporary mine closures exacerbated the tightness in the market. The Netherlands saw increased speculative buying and inventory accumulation by traders, reflecting concerns over future availability.
Indian manufacturers faced higher procurement costs, leading to cautious purchasing strategies, while in the USA, strong demand from the automotive and electronics sectors kept the market active. The prevailing sentiment was one of heightened uncertainty, with supply risks dominating market discussions and supporting elevated price levels.
Q2 2024
In the second quarter, antimony prices saw a notable increase, driven by a combination of robust demand and persistent supply limitations. China’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its mining industry and enforce stricter environmental standards further constrained exports, pushing global buyers to seek alternative sources.
The Netherlands benefited from increased trading activity, with European industries ramping up purchases to secure inventories ahead of anticipated price hikes. India’s demand was buoyed by growth in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, while the USA experienced heightened buying interest from the battery and flame-retardant industries. The overall sentiment was bullish, with concerns about long-term supply security fueling upward price momentum.
Q1 2024
The first quarter of 2024 saw a gradual increase in antimony prices across major markets. In China, increased environmental regulations and tighter mining controls led to reduced domestic output, which contributed to a firmer market sentiment. The Netherlands, as a key European hub for antimony trading and processing, experienced stable demand from the flame retardant and battery industries, with buyers showing cautious optimism amid supply chain adjustments.
In India, the electronics and chemical sectors maintained steady consumption, while in the USA, restocking by manufacturers and continued interest from the plastics and alloys sectors supported a moderate uptick in prices. Overall, the quarter was marked by a cautious but positive outlook as supply constraints began to strengthen the market.
Q1 2025
The antimony market experienced an extraordinary surge in Q1 2025, with antimony prices rocketing to $28,860/MT Ex-Mumbai, representing a 36.13% quarter-over-quarter increase as market sentiment reached. Additional mine closures in China due to environmental compliance costs and resource depletion reduced production, while global consumption reached record highs. Technology sector demand reached unprecedented levels as AI data centers began specifying antimony-based fire suppression systems, with major cloud computing companies securing multi-year supply agreements at premium prices.
Tesla’s announcement of pilot programs using antimony batteries for grid storage applications created additional supply pressure estimated at 5,000 metric tons annually. Supply-side responses remained limited despite exceptional price incentives, as environmental permitting for new mines requires 3-5 years while existing operations faced regulatory and technical constraints. Regional market dynamics became extremely complex, with Asian suppliers increasingly reluctant to export materials needed for domestic strategic programs, forcing some industrial users to substitute materials or reduce production.
Q4 2024
Antimony prices maintained explosive momentum in Q4 2024, reaching $21,200/MT with a robust 27.40% increase from Q3 levels, as market sentiment reached fever pitch amid intensifying supply constraints. The defense industry emerged as a significant new demand source, with military procurement agencies securing long-term supply agreements at premium prices for night vision equipment, specialized ammunition, and infrared detection systems.
Renewable energy sector for antimony consumption doubled compared to Q3 levels as major energy storage projects specified for antimony-based battery systems for grid stabilization applications. Financial markets fully embraced antimony as an investment theme, with commodity-focused ETFs adding exposure and options trading volume increasing over 300% compared to previous quarters.
Supply chain disruptions extended beyond production constraints to include logistics challenges, with shipping costs increasing significantly and lead times extending to 12-16 weeks for standard grades.
Q3 2024
The antimony market underwent a fundamental transformation in Q3 2024, with prices surging to $16,640/MT, marking a substantial 32.06% quarter-over-quarter increase as market sentiment turned decisively bullish. The most significant catalyst was implementation of stricter environmental regulations in China’s Hunan Province, forcing temporary closure of smaller operations and reducing output at larger facilities, constraining global supply by an estimated 15-20%.
Demand surged across multiple sectors, with the electronics industry experiencing unprecedented growth in antimony consumption due to accelerating 5G infrastructure deployment globally. The flame-retardant market tightened significantly as new safety regulations in construction and automotive sectors increased specification requirements for antimony-based compounds.
Q2 2024
Antimony prices experienced consolidation in Q2 2024, settling at $12,600/MT with a marginal 0.16% decrease from Q1 levels, reflecting neutral to slightly bearish market sentiment. The primary driver was, supply chain normalization, with Chinese smelters improving production efficiency and completing maintenance schedules at major facilities, resulting in higher-than-expected output during traditionally slower summer months.
However, emerging demand patterns from the renewable energy sector provided offsetting support, particularly in grid-scale energy storage applications where antimony-based batteries offer safety advantages over lithium-ion alternatives. Semiconductor manufacturers increased antimony usage driven by expanding production of specialized chips for automotive and telecommunications applications.
Geopolitical discussions about critical mineral security in the US and EU began creating awareness about antimony’s strategic importance, laying groundwork for future market developments. Inventory levels across major consuming regions remained adequate but showed signs of gradual decline, with Asian markets reporting tighter availability for specialty grades.
Q1 2024
The antimony market in Q1 2024 demonstrated modest bullish sentiment with prices reaching $12,620 per metric ton, representing a 2.27% quarter-over-quarter increase from Q4 2023’s $12,340. This measured price appreciation reflected steady recovery in industrial demand, particularly from flame retardant applications which account for approximately 60% of global antimony consumption.
The electronics manufacturing sector showed consistent procurement activities as supply chains normalized following post-pandemic disruptions. Chinese producers maintained stable output levels despite ongoing environmental compliance measures, while minor supply interruptions from Bolivia and Russia provided underlying price support.
Lead-acid battery manufacturers in emerging markets sustained steady demand as automotive production recovered. Strategic buyers, including government agencies, began building inventory positions in anticipation of potential future supply constraints. Trading activity remained moderate with balanced spot and contract pricing, while LME warehouse inventories stayed relatively stable.
PriceWatch is your trusted resource for tracking global antimony price trends. Our platform delivers real-time data and expert analysis, offering deep insights into the key factors driving price fluctuations in the antimony market. By monitoring critical events such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic shifts, PriceWatch keeps you fully informed of market dynamics.
In addition, PriceWatch provides detailed forecasts and updates on production capacities, enabling you to anticipate market changes and make well-informed decisions. With PriceWatch, you gain a competitive edge in understanding all the elements that influence antimony prices worldwide. Stay ahead of the curve with PriceWatch’s reliable, accurate, and timely antimony market data.
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These events underscore the antimony market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.
This research methodology ensures that PriceWatch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable antimony pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Antimony is most traded and used industrially in the form of antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃), a white, odorless, crystalline powder with a high purity level (typically ≥99.5%). It is produced by oxidizing antimony metal or roasting antimony ore such as stibnite. The compound has a specific gravity of 5.2–5.6, a melting point of around 655–656°C, and is sparingly soluble in water but soluble in strong acids and alkali hydroxides
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Property | Specification |
| Purity | 99.65% – 99.85% Sb (by weight) |
| Appearance | Silvery-white, crystalline solid |
| Density | ~6.7 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | ~630.5°C |
| Boiling Point | ~1,580°C |
| Hardness | Brittle; Mohs hardness ~3 |
| Impurities | Pb ≤ 0.05%, Fe ≤ 0.02%, S ≤ 0.01% |
Applications
Flame Retardants:
The largest use of antimony is antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) in flame retardant systems, particularly plastics, textiles, electronics housings, children’s clothing, toys, aircraft, and automobile seat covers. It acts as a synergist with halogenated compounds to inhibit fire propagation.
Lead-Acid Batteries:
Antimony is alloyed with lead to improve the strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance of battery plates, making it essential for automotive and industrial batteries.
Alloys:
Used to harden lead for ammunition, cable sheathing, type metal for printing, solder, pewter, and organ pipes. Antimony alloys are also found in antifriction metals (Babbitt metal) and bearings.
Catalysts in Chemical Industry:
Antimony compounds, especially antimony trioxide, are vital catalysts in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for plastic bottles and polyester fibers, as well as in other polymerization and chemical processes.
Electronics and Semiconductors:
Used as a dopant in semiconductors (e.g., indium antimonide for infrared detectors), in diodes, and in thermoelectric materials like antimony telluride for energy conversion.
Glass and Ceramics:
Antimony compounds are used as decolorizing and refining agents in glass manufacturing, to improve clarity and strength in optical glass, and as additives in ceramic enamels for color and durability.
Pigments and Paints:
Antimony compounds are utilized in paints, pigments, and coatings for color and improved performance.
Pharmaceuticals:
Certain antimony compounds are used in medicines, particularly for treating parasitic diseases
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