5G slowdown weighs on tantalum market; price falls to 2020 low

The slowdown of the roll-out of fifth generation technology (5G) is continuing to weigh on the tantalum market with the concentrate price falling to a year-to-date low on Friday September 25.

Fastmarkets assessed the price of tantalite, basis 25% min Ta2O5, cif China at $56-57.75 per lb on Friday, down from $57-59 per lb a week earlier and down from its year-to-date high of $65-68 per lb in May. The market is now trading at its lowest level so far this year.
Tantalum is mainly used in high-performance capacitors for electronic equipment, ranging from consumer electronics to home appliances, electronic systems in cars and wind turbines producing electricity.
Although the capacitor market is expected to see positive growth amid an ongoing drive for electrification, it has seen a slowdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic, market sources said.
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