[Monthly Review of Rare Gases]: Helium market sentiment is still good, while krypton and xenon prices are falling(August 2024)
1. Market Analysis
The helium market price dropped in August. According to statistics, as of August 30, the average monthly price of high-purity helium in bulk bottles (40L, 13.5± 0.5Mpa) dropped by -0.93% month-on-month and -49.1% year-on-year. The price of bottled helium fell further in August, and the profit of bottled gas was diluted. At present, the transaction center of bottled helium has shifted downward. The market trading atmosphere is relatively light. The price fluctuations in the southwest region are relatively slow. The transaction in the South China market is at the low end.
According to statistics, the market price of high-purity helium in tubes remained stable in August. As of August 30, the trading atmosphere of high-purity helium in tubes was still good, and some high-priced shipments showed slight pressure. The supply of high-purity helium in Inner Mongolia was tight. The mainstream transaction in August was at the low end, and the overall market was mainly stable.
The xenon market price dropped in August. Currently, the trading atmosphere in the mainstream xenon market is relatively light. The market order support in August is limited, and the high-priced supply has dropped significantly. The monthly average price of the xenon market dropped by -7.7% month-on-month and -41.4% year-on-year.
The market price of krypton gas fell in August. As of August 30, the average monthly ex-factory price of mainstream krypton gas was -2.3% month-on-month and -50.9% year-on-year. The downstream demand in the market was relatively weak in August, and there was basically no new purchase at the main terminals, and the channel inventory increased. At present, there are sporadic orders in the market, but the transaction price is low, and the overall atmosphere is weak.
In August, the neon market price remained stable, with the average price falling. As of August 30, the monthly average price of neon was flat month-on-month and down 60.6% year-on-year. The market transaction atmosphere continued to be weak in August, with few terminal purchases and overall stable prices.
2. Outlook for the future
In September 2024, the price of helium in China's market may remain weak and stable. It is estimated that the bulk purchase price of bottled (40L) high-purity helium may be slightly reduced at the end of September. In terms of supply, most of the main foreign helium producing areas operated stably in September, and the import supply was relatively sufficient. In addition, domestic supply will gradually resume production, and some projects may be put into production, so the overall supply may be relatively sufficient. In terms of demand, the demand of downstream semiconductor, optical fiber, leak detection and other industries continues to support the market, and the support on the demand side is relatively strong. It is predicted that the relatively tight supply of market supply in September may improve. In the absence of obvious support for demand, the market price may remain weak and stable.
The xenon market price may drop in September. It is predicted that the abundant supply situation in China's xenon market will not improve in the short term in September, and the market will still face downward pressure under the flat terminal demand.
The price of krypton gas in China may continue to decline in September. It is predicted that the average monthly price of krypton gas in China will decline in September. In the short term, the downstream demand is poor, and the supply of high-priced goods in the market may be further reduced.
The neon market price may drop in September. It is predicted that the average price of neon in China will drop in September. In the short term, the market demand is flat and the price may remain stable at a low price.