Germanium prices rose further in Europe at the end of last week, reflecting crimped supply of raw materials and continued environmental inspections of plants in China, which have resulted in lower output and a shortage of material.
Metal Bulletin assessed the germanium price at $1,250-1,400 per kg on an in-warehouse Rotterdam basis on Friday January 12, up from $1,200-1,350 per kg on Wednesday last week and from $1,100-1,250 at the end of November."The germanium market is very tight," a trader said. "Since the end of November, the Chinese have effectively stopped offering. They claim crude germanium producers near Beijing have been closed down for environmental reasons and other producers have closed for maintenance."Another trader...