The US Potassium Tetrachloroplatinate market remained sluggish throughout late January, as low prices continued from December into early January due to bearish sentiment in the marketplace. Prices also declined through late January as domestic sellers worked to reduce elevated inventory levels from prior procurement cycles. With retailers and wholesalers alike both having excess stock, the market was dominated by competing offers, providing little near-term opportunities for recovery. Improved logistics and consistent import arrivals further supported the oversupply of products in the marketplace; thus, buyers had little immediate need to make purchases. While demand from key end-use applications such as catalysts, advanced materials and laboratory continued to remain stable, there was no upward momentum in overall demand. Most buyers have adopted a cautious procurement strategy, with reliance on current inventories and minimal commitment to any new spot purchases. As such, trading activity has been slow, and sentiment has also been weak throughout January. For February, analysts project improved market conditions. Expectations of increased procurement activity and inventory replenishment by importers and distributors should provide support to prices, combined with steady underlying demand from core applications.
