Price

Gadolinium Pricing and Market Data

Gadolinium oxide prices range from $40-60/kg, making it a mid-value rare earth element. The market is very small (~500 tonnes/year) with pricing reported by Asian Metals. Medical demand for MRI contrast agents provides stable but modest consumption. The potential development of commercial magnetic refrigeration systems could significantly increase demand, as gadolinium and its alloys exhibit the strongest known magnetocaloric effect near room temperature. However, this application remains pre-commercial.

Pricing Mechanisms

Gadolinium is priced using benchmarks from Asian Metals. Gadolinium pricing operates through a combination of exchange-based benchmarks, price reporting agency assessments, bilateral negotiation, and long-term offtake contracts. The specific mechanism depends on product form, grade, and the buyer-seller relationship.

Price History and Notable Market Events

The Gadolinium market has been shaped by the following key events:

Price Drivers

Key factors influencing Gadolinium prices include production levels in China (95% of global supply), demand from mri contrast agents and nuclear reactor shielding, inventory levels, energy costs, and government policy actions such as export restrictions or strategic stockpiling.

Spot vs. Contract Pricing

The Gadolinium market features both spot transactions and longer-term contracts. Spot prices reflect current conditions and are more volatile, while multi-year offtake agreements provide supply security for both producers and consumers. Current spot pricing is in the range of 45-70 $/kg oxide.