Prices for cadmium have taken off and reached record levels. Metals Week was recently quoting a U.S. dealer price range of $6.80- $7.10 per lb for the silver-white metal.
A tight market is the primary reason given for the metal’s rise in price; U.S. producer prices averaged $1.99 last year and $1.35 in 1986. The Japanese have reportedly been making large purchases from European producers.
Cadmium is a relatively rare element and is recovered mainly as a byproduct of zinc smelting and refining. Soft, ductile and electropositive, it is used for coating iron and steel products to help prevent oxidation. Other uses for the metal include as an ingredient in making pigments and chemicals and in alkaline batteries. Cadmium also has catalytic properties.
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