ARGEX RECEIVES TITANIUM DIOXIDE PRICING FORECASTS
posted on
Jan 26, 2011 07:16AM
NEAR TERM PRODUCER - TiO2
Titanium dioxide prices are expected to double by 2015
cnw
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN
THE UNITED STATES
Titanium Dioxide prices are expected to double from 2010 to the end of
2015
The Titanium Dioxide global price is expected to reach US$4,800 per
metric tonne in 2015
There is a direct correlation between Titanium Dioxide demand and global
GDP
MONTREAL, Jan. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Argex Mining Inc. ("Argex") (TSX-V: RGX) (FSE: ASV) (OTCBB: ARGEF) has received the "Global TiO2 Profile Report" by Gary Cianfichi of Ti Insight, LLC. Ti Insight, LLC
was engaged by Argex to provide an overview of the titanium dioxide
(TiO2) pigment market including pricing forecasts. The report defines the
global market for TiO2 pigment in terms of global capacity, global demand, global and regional
pricing trends, key producer profiles, key pigment end uses and
background information on TiO2 ore types used for pigment production including a profile of the key
titanium ore suppliers. The report also defines the key properties that
differentiate TiO2 pigments produced and marketed for key end use segments.
TiO2 forecast to 2015
Absent a significant drop in demand, TiO2 supply and demand is forecasted to be tight until 2015. The report
concludes that it seems quite likely that TiO2 producers will have pricing power for most if not all of that period.
Since 2010, when the average world price for high quality TiO2 pigment was approximately US$2,400 per metric tonne, until 2015, the
TiO2 price is forecast to double to US$4,800 per metric tonne.
Global TiO2 Profile Report - Scope of Work
The scope of the work covered in the report included:
Information on the global TiO2 pigment supply and demand for the prior ten year period and looking out
through 2015. This information included the following:
a. TiO2 demand globally, by region and by major end use
market
b. TiO2 supply (capacity) by region, by technology type and by
producer
c. Annual capacity operating rate levels
TiO2 global pigment pricing trends and a pricing forecast by geographic
region through 2015
A profile of the leading TiO2 pigment producers including a comparative analysis of DTT, Cristal
Global, Huntsman, Kronos, Tronox, ISK and Sachtleben
A review of TiO2 pigment types and the general surface treatments for key enduse
applications
A profile of the larger TiO2 pigment consumers
General information on the major ore types used by the TiO2 pigment industry with key ore producer profiles.
Recent TiO2 Price History
The last twenty years have been characterized by relatively flat prices
for TiO2 pigment. Other than the the period in the mid to late 1980's, TiO2 prices have declined on a real basis and generally did not increase
enough to offset TiO2 producer costs, resulting in declining profit margins for producers.
However, the current tight TiO2 supply and demand conditions, means producers are expected to reverse
this trend and increase prices on a real basis for the period 2010
through 2015, if not longer.
Titanium Dioxide Demand is directly correlated with Global GDP
Growth in the demand for TiO2 is a function of economic activity. TiO2 is considered to be a quality of life product where demand is driven by
the rising economies and standards of living. The correlation between
TiO2 demand and world gross domestic product (GDP) has been noted by many TiO2 companies. This correlation holds because TiO2 is fundamental to many basic bulding blocks of economies including
housing materials, automobiles, industrial equipment, consumer
packaging and construction materials. These segments do well when
countries' economies (GDP) are doing well, which drives TiO2 demand growth.
About Ti Insight LLC
Ti Insight, LLC is a Titanium Dioxide consulting company formed by Gary
Cianfichi and Augustus Williamson, both executives with a combined
fifty years of experience in TiO2 industry marketing, sales, strategic planning, competitive
intelligence, supply chain, communications and business management
functions.
About Argex Mining Inc.
Argex is a junior titanium, iron, vanadium and magnesium explorer with
projects in Quebec, Canada. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, the
company is committed to the interests of its shareholders, with plans
to rapidly advance towards titanium production at the 100%-owned La
Blache deposit located near Baie-Comeau, Quebec. Argex also owns 100%
of the Mouchalagane Iron Ore project, 380 kilometres north of
Baie-Comeau, Quebec and of the same type of deposit as ore bodies
currently being mined by Quebec Cartier Mining's (Arcelor Mittal) Fire
Lake Mine and Consolidated Thompson's Bloom Lake Mine. Recently, Argex
expanded its land holdings near Baie-Comeau, Quebec surrounding
Consolidated Thompson's Lac Brule Titanium-Iron-Vanadium deposit. For
additional information, please visit our website at http://www.argex.ca/">www.argex.ca.