Antimony Market Situation

1.   **Market Applications and Demand for Antimony**

Antimony (Sb), as an important industrial metal, is widely used in various key sectors.   Its major applications include:

Flame Retardants: Antimony is widely used as a flame retardant in engineering plastics, automotive, electronics, and construction industries. Particularly in the photovoltaic glass sector, with the global focus on renewable energy, the demand for antimony has been growing year by year.

Lead-Acid Batteries: Antimony serves as a key additive in lead-acid batteries, primarily used to enhance the performance and lifespan of batteries.

Alloy Hardeners: Antimony is used as an alloy hardener, commonly in solders, bearings, and other applications to improve the strength and wear resistance of materials.

Other Applications: Antimony is also used in semiconductors, glass ceramics, catalysts, and military applications, where it plays an irreplaceable role.

As global demand for environmental protection and renewable energy increases, the demand for antimony in photovoltaic glass is growing annually.

2.   **Changes in China's Antimony Export Policy and Impact**

On August 15, 2024, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued an announcement, stating that starting from September 15, 2024, export controls would be implemented on antimony ore and raw materials, antimony metal and products, antimony oxide, antimony compounds, antimony hydrides, indium-antimony alloys, and antimony smelting separation technology.

On November 9, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce issued another announcement suspending export restrictions to the United States.   This policy will last for one year, ending on November 27, 2026.

This relaxation of the policy has had a significant impact on China's antimony exports, particularly in reviving the U.S. export market.   With the expected recovery in demand from the U.S. and other Western markets, China's antimony exports are likely to recover, further boosting export growth.

3.**Price Fluctuations and Market Trends of Antimony**

In early 2025, China experienced a rapid increase in antimony prices driven by tight inventories, supply constraints, and changes in photovoltaic industry policies, including the introduction of the “430” and “531” measures. These factors stimulated strong demand for photovoltaic glass, pushing domestic antimony prices sharply upward from 143,000 CNY/ton to 240,000 CNY/ton, a rise of approximately 68%.

However, from April to November 2025, the domestic antimony market underwent a significant correction. Prices fell from 240,000 CNY/ton to around 150,000 CNY/ton, primarily due to intensified government crackdowns on smuggling activities. This enforcement action caused a steep decline in antimony oxide exports, which in turn exerted downward pressure on domestic prices.

On November 9th, 2025, the day China announced the suspension of export restrictions to the United States, the domestic antimony price stood at 148,000 CNY/ton. As of December 8th, 2025, Chinese antimony ingot prices have rebounded to approximately 168,000 CNY/ton, with the domestic market showing a continued upward trend.

International markets followed a similar pattern. Overseas antimony prices rose from 40,500 USD/MT in January–March 2025 to 59,800 USD/MT, before declining to 45,000 USD/MT between April and November. After November 9th, overseas prices continued to weaken, falling further to the 38,000 USD/MT level.

4.   **China's Antimony Export Data for 2025**

From January to October 2025, China's antimony exports totaled 5,720 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 78%. Notably, from May 2025 onward, the government increased efforts to crack down on smuggling, which caused the export volume of antimony oxide to fall to just 2%-7% of the normal monthly level. However, with the relaxation of policies and the improvement of market expectations, exports are expected to gradually recover.

5.   **Global Antimony Mineral Resources**

According to the 2024 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data, global antimony reserves are approximately 2.17 million tons, mainly distributed in China (29%), Russia (16%), and Bolivia (14%). China's share of global reserves has significantly decreased from 52% in 2013, reflecting the rapid depletion of resources.

The global supply of antimony reached a peak of 197,000 tons in 2008, with China accounting for over 91% of the supply. Since then, overseas supply has increased and fluctuated, but China's share has declined, and overall supply has contracted. In 2024, global production dropped to 100,000 tons, with China's supply share decreasing to 60%. In 2024, China's refined antimony production totaled 55,000 tons, a decrease of 8.9% year-on-year. In recent years, with declining geological grades and increased mining difficulty, some antimony mine outputs have been decreasing.

6.   **Our Advantages and Resources**

As a professional trading company, in addition to domestic Chinese antimony products, we also have resources for non-Chinese antimony products. If you are interested in antimony products, please feel free to contact us at any time.