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CHINA CO ASSN: High cobalt prices turning away carbide makers

June 17, 2011 - 03:26 GMT Location: Lijiang

KEYWORDS: China , cobalt powder , cemented carbide

High cobalt powder prices are holding back the rise in demand from China's cemented carbide producers, spurring them to look for substitutes and reduce usage of the minor metal, according to Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group (ZCCG)

"Cobalt resources are rare and expensive… the high prices have, to a certain extent, curbed demand from the super alloys sector," Hu Qiming, vice-gm of China's top cemented carbide maker ZCCG, told delegates at China Cobalt Assn conference in Lijiang, southern Yunnan province. Cemented carbide is used in the machining of tough materials such as carbon steel or stainless steel. Chinese producers of the hard material consumed 2,200 tonnes of cobalt last...

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