The price paid both for low-carbon and high-carbon ferro-chrome have strengthened amid persistent worries about soaring international freight costs.
Despite mixed fortunes in end-user demand such as aerospace and automotive, these concerns have resulted in firmer demand for material from consumers wanting to avoid a shortage of feedstock
Low carbon ferro-chrome delivered in Europe was stable at the upper end of its price range in the past two weeks, although it jumped almost 10 cents per lb at the bottom end after suppliers increased their offer prices and reported new business.
The European automotive sector is staging something of a recovery, albeit a gradual one, although aerospace looks set to remain weak for many months to come.
Fastmarkets' low carbon ferro-chrome 0.10% C, average 65-70% Cr, delivered Europe assessment was $1.74-1.88 per lb Cr in the two weeks to December 22 compared with $1.65-1.88 per lb on December 8.
"Refined ferro-chrome has been recovering some ground in the past few weeks on the back...