US bentonite prices moved higher in June on firm drilling demand and disciplined supply management that tightened prompt availability. Activity at Wyoming strip-mines remained steady, while processors held run-rates, and rising Rocky Mountain natural-gas costs lifted dryer and kiln operating costs through summer. Producers prioritized contract fulfilment and trimmed spot allocations, with Asian export inquiries absorbing volumes. The net effect was upward pressure on delivered values for sodium bentonite, underpinned by strength in oilfield service activity, foundry consumption and resilient pet-care demand. The demand picture was led by Oil & Gas, where improved rig activity and stronger service work drew additional volumes into drilling-mud blends. Foundry moulding-sand demand offered modest support, consistent with a selective improvement in overall industrial activity. Pet-care applications remained a steady baseline, while discretionary restocking was deferred, tightening prompt availability. Looking ahead, near-term momentum for Bentonite appears mixed, but prices are expected to remain firm into mid-summer, with seasonal normalization and year-end recovery shaping the wider outlook.
US Bentonite prices moved higher in June as firm drilling demand and disciplined supply management tightened prompt availability. Early June saw Wyoming strip mines operate without reported outages, while processors maintained steady run rates. Rising Rocky Mountain natural gas prices increased dryer and activation-kiln costs throughout the early summer period. Bentonite producers prioritised contract fulfilment and reduced spot allocations, while steady export enquiries from Asia absorbed incremental volumes. The combined effect placed upward pressure on delivered values for Bentonite, with oilfield service activity, foundry consumption, and resilient pet-care demand contributing to a stronger bullish tone in the domestic market.
The demand picture was led by the oil and gas sector, where a four-rig month-on-month increase in the U.S. oil-directed fleet and stronger service activity boosted consumption of Bentonite in drilling-mud formulations. Sodium Bentonite DEL Wyoming increased to USD ***.**/MT in June from USD ***.**/MT...
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