Report from China Nonferrous Metals News, July 3, 2026
In June 2026, China’s zirconium carbonate market saw a notable upward trend. Multiple positive factors jointly pushed prices steadily higher across all regions in China, including robust rigid demand from downstream buyers, rising production costs driven by stricter environmental compliance regulations, and sustained strong overseas export demand.
At present, the overall spot supply remains tight and balanced, with major manufacturers firmly holding their price offers. Stable export order volumes, coupled with seasonal restocking activities in China, have further reduced the availability of spot goods in circulation. Demand stays steady across four major downstream sectors: ceramic glazes, tile production, pigment formulation and catalysts. Overseas buyers from Japan, South Korea and Germany continue to place replenishment orders to build inventories.
Supply of zircon sand raw materials from Australia and South Africa remains stable and unimpeded, ensuring consistent upstream raw material provision. However, tightening environmental supervision in China has led to continuous hikes in additional wastewater treatment charges, pushing up manufacturers’ production and operating costs. Benefits from export tax rebate policies have prompted factories to prioritize allocating cargo to export quotas, further squeezing domestic spot supply volumes.
Market Outlook: Supported by three core drivers—rigid export demand, seasonal concentrated domestic purchasing in China, and persistent rising environmental costs across the whole industrial chain—the zirconium carbonate market in China is expected to maintain firm prices from late June through July.