Strontium market will stay strong new study says

In spite of recession, the effects of new technology and competition from alternative materials, demand for strontium is continuing its strong growth displayed during the early 1980s.

Following the rapid rise of the 1970s, growth was expected to slacken. However, two major new applications — in color television tubes and in electroceramics — have become firmly established. Growth is now expected to continue through the next decade, although perhaps at a lower rate, says Roskill Information Services of London.

Roskill’s new study of strontium its fourth since 1973, reviews the industry worldwide, examines trends in its markets and concludes that the future for strontium producers looks good.

In terms of strontium carbonate, demand is expected to rise from 94,300 tonnes in 1985 to 104,000 tonnes in 1990 and around 127,000 tonnes by the year 2000. The pattern of production has changed sharply in recent years: the rise of output in Mexico in the early 1970s has been followed by the even greater rise in output in Turkey and Spain and more recently by considerable growth in Iran.

Strontium is used in the glass of color television picture tubes to absorb potentially harmful X-rays. The U.S., which produces no strontium, imports about 25% of world production.