Indium Market Price Keeps Flat in Uncertain Trend

Indium market price maintains flat at 48,000-53,000 yen per kilogram for low grade ingot used mainly for alloys around Tokyo. The spot price in European market surveyed by Reuters, the international price indicator, is US$ 530-600 per kg, the high price surged by US$ 20 from the first week of January. Meanwhile, the low price downed by US$ 15. Japanese concerned sources say the market trend is uncertain.

Demand for ITO (indium-tin-oxide) sputtering target has been increasing since December. ITO sputtering target is used for transparent electrode of liquid crystal panel. ITO sputtering target makers’ operating rate had been around 80% in Japan until November. Liquid crystal panel market had entered inventory adjustment phase mainly in Taiwan.

In and after December, JX Nippon Mining & Metals, the world largest producer of ITO sputtering target, increased its production to almost full capacity. However, the firm is still wary about material procurement. The firm is cautious for upsurge of indium market price if the firm increases indium procurement volume as much as ITO output recovery.

An official of JX Nippon Mining & Metals commented the firm tries to improve productivity of ITO sputtering target in order not to stimulate indium market price.