[Ferro-Alloys.com] US magnesium spot prices have inched up thanks to strong automotive demand and a tight non-ferrous scrap market, which has bolstered secondary aluminium producer demand for magnesium.

 

As some secondary aluminium producers run through 2013 magnesium supplies faster than expected, several contracts for 2014 have been negotiated earlier than usual, market sources said. Metal Bulletin sister publication AMM’s spot magnesium price range has widened to $1.85 to $2.25 per pound from $1.84 to $2.22 previously. "We’ve already signed a couple of arrangements for next year," one producer source said. "I would think that based on that the rest of the contract season will start earlier than it usually does." Customers to date have paid the same or more for 2014 material compared with this year, he said.