Market Insight into PVC Coated Fabrics
After an estimated price surge of over 500% since spring 2024, the Antimony Trioxide market continues to experience significant disruption and weekly price increases.
What is antimony, and why is it so important?
Antimony is a mineral which has a broad range of industrial and defence applications, from manufacturing solar panels to the production of ammunition.
One of the primary uses of antimony is in creating flame retardant plastics. For this reason, antimony is widely used in the production of PVC coated polyester. Without the addition of antimony, PVC coated fabrics would not conform to relevant fire standards.
Although studies and trials are underway, antimony remains the most effective fire-retardant additive for coated fabrics. Currently, there are no suitable alternatives that can perform as reliably, so in turn, the price of PVC has been steadily rising.
What factors are causing the price to increase?
It is estimated that around 70% of the antimony available worldwide is mined in China. Following a surge in demand for solar panels, China began consuming over 50% of the country's antimony. This caused the initial price surge, as supply chains were unprepared for the spike in demand.
In addition, the Chinese government-imposed export restrictions on antimony in August 2024. This generated additional uncertainty in the market,t and the price rocketed further as buyers began bidding to secure the limited material.
Most recently, China implemented an antimony export ban on the United States, which is the largest consumer outside of China. With the limited supply of antimony available. U.S. buyers have been purchasing at any price necessary, which continues to destabilise the market further and is causing prices to continue to climb.
How J & J Carter can help
We are doing our best to shield our customers from the substantial increase in the cost of PVC. Currently, we have some stock items remaining, which we have locked in at 2024 prices. Contact our friendly team today to secure yours:
- RÖDER compatible PVC: 3m, 6m 9m roofs and gables + 3m wall sheets.
In addition, we continue to work with our supply chain to find new solutions to this problem in an effort to stabilise pricing.
