Price

Scandium Pricing and Market Data

Scandium oxide prices range from $3,000-5,000/kg, making it one of the most expensive commercially traded metal oxides. The market is extremely small (~25 tonnes/year) with no exchange-traded contracts. Prices are reported by Asian Metals. The high cost has been the primary barrier to wider adoption of Al-Sc alloys, creating a chicken-and-egg problem: demand is limited by high prices, and prices remain high due to limited production scale. Rio Tintos potential entry as a producer from existing titanium operations could dramatically reduce costs and expand the market.

Pricing Mechanisms

Scandium is priced using benchmarks from Asian Metals. Scandium 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 Scandium market has been shaped by the following key events:

Price Drivers

Key factors influencing Scandium prices include production levels in China (66% of global supply), demand from aluminum-scandium alloys for aerospace and solid oxide fuel cells, inventory levels, energy costs, and government policy actions such as export restrictions or strategic stockpiling.

Spot vs. Contract Pricing

The Scandium 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 3,500-5,500 $/kg oxide.