For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
The diversion of upstream Zinc in the dietary supplements led to a rise in prices of Zinc Oxide in the North American region. Whereas uncertainties regarding the freight charges and container availability forced traders and suppliers to closely monitor the market dynamics in the second quarter of 2021. As a repercussion, buyers became more flexible to the European cargoes. Demand remained firm throughout the quarter as offtakes were consistent from cosmetics and personal care sector amidst the rise in enquiries for the skin care products.
Asia Pacific
The supply outlook in the Asia Pacific region was constraint in the second quarter of 2021, as the resurgence of Covid in several parts across the Southeast Asian region diverted volumes of feedstock Zinc to the pharmaceutical sector for supplement manufacturing. Due to devastating impact of Covid in India, prices of refined Zinc surged by 1.9% on m-o-m in May. Demand remained firm from the downstream personal care and cosmetics industries. Consequently, prices of Zinc Oxide rose taking cues from the hike in prices of feedstock Zinc and high demand.
Europe
During the second quarter of 2021, supply of Zinc Oxide remained ample in the European region. The production margins rebounded in the Northwest Europe post winter season which eased the supply outlook. Demand bolstered from the downstream personal care and cosmetics industries, supported by better public movement as mass vaccination drive rolled out across the European region. As a ripple effect, prices of Zinc Oxide in the European region stabilized in the second quarter.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
North America
The demand of Zinc Oxide from downstream pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries improved over Q4. However, major plant outages in the USA Gulf region reduced its consumption as an intermediate from various segments amid the subzero temperature in the region. Supplies were ample as metallic zinc market rebounded since the previous quarter. The majority of Zinc Oxide supplies were diverted towards the pharmaceutical sector amid rising awareness of Zinc supplements among people to safeguard from the COVID hiked the prices of Zinc Oxide in North America.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
The supplies of the Zinc Oxide in the Asia Pacific market showed mixed sentiments as they stood ample during the first quarter of 2021 taking cues from the plant turnarounds during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays. In China, market outlook remained uncertain after the new environmental protection guidelines and inspection drives by the Chinese authorities. Demand slumped during Q1 as offtakes reduced from the downstream personal care and cosmetics sector amid ample inventories level due to oversupply of the raw material. The oversupply of Zinc metal and reduced demand resulted in decline on the prices of Zinc Oxide in the regional market.
Europe
In Europe, the Zinc Oxide supplies during Q1 2021 remained high due to an upsurge in inventories level of the Zinc Oxide. However, due to the limited industrial and commercial activities amid the lockdown in Europe and reduced plant operating rates in the first quarter, the demand showed a staggering fall within the quarter. However, improved offtakes from the downstream personal care & cosmetics sector were reported towards the end of the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending December 2020
Asia
In the Asian market, the demand of Zinc Oxide remained stable and marginally went down during Q4 2020. In China, potential Zinc Oxide shortage created panic among buyers which witnessed sharp rise in prices from Q3 to Q4. Manufacturers anticipated that supply will be restored within Q4 and prices would be stabilised again. Meanwhile, the demand in other Asian countries remained good but tight supply raised the prices initially but during December prices stopped accelerating and dropped again. FOB price of Zinc Oxide in Taiwan came down from USD 2630/tonne (October 2020) to USD 1800 USD/tonne (December 2020).
North America
Supply chain disruptions caused by multiple hurricanes, created the shortage of minerals across the region. Healthy demand but ample supply raised the prices of Zinc Oxide initially which later came down till the end December 2020. In USA, FOB price of Zinc Oxide slipped from USD 5120/tonne (October 2020) to USD 4000 /tonne (December 2020). The quarter ended with the news of SLG LLC collaborating with Evercare for global distribution of Zinc Oxide. This partnership would improve the distribution and availability of Zinc Oxide across the region.
Europe
Amid rapid spread of COVID-19 during Q4 2020, the market showed stability in demand. The demand was driven by the healthcare and rubber industries. On the other hand, European union banned the use of veterinary medicine containing more than 150 ppm Zinc Oxide. This announcement came in November 2020 and planned to be implemented till July 2021. This will reduce the demand of Zinc Oxide for veterinary supplement sector in Europe.
