The evolution of the germanium market in 2012 continues to leave a trail of confusion. Most recently, price increases in June seemed to contradict reports of persistently slow demand from traditional consumers. Let's take a look at some recent developments to see if we can make sense of the influences that are shaping this market.
After sluggish sales drove germanium prices down in the first quarter of 2012, spot sales stagnated between March and June, leaving many expecting prices to continue downward.
Price discrepancies between Chinese-produced germanium and non-Chinese produced materials arose, as competition over the limited number of orders available pushed prices toward their 5-year low. These price discrepancies reflected differences in willingness to accept lower prices between Chinese and non-Chinese producers.
