2026/8/24 18:13:42
News
The sharp correction in antimony prices during June and July 2026 has attracted considerable attention across the flame-retardant and plastics industries.
After trading near RMB 150,000/tonne, Chinese antimony prices fell rapidly toward the RMB 90,000/tonne level by the end of July.
By mid-August, the market has shown early signs of stabilization rather than another straight-line decline.
But for flame-retardant formulators, I believe the more important question is not:
“Where will antimony prices go next?”
It is:
Should a critical flame-retardant formulation continue to depend so heavily on a volatile strategic mineral?
1. The 2026 antimony correction is a reminder of supply-chain risk
The recent price movement has demonstrated how quickly antimony economics can change.
Increased availability of imported ore, higher domestic production and weaker downstream purchasing contributed to the sharp correction during June and July.
At the same time, China's antimony export controls continue to make the international supply chain an important consideration for global buyers.
S&P Global's August 2026 antimony market report also highlights the continuing importance of supply diversification and geopolitical considerations in the antimony market.
For a flame-retardant producer, therefore, the issue is not simply the spot price of Sb₂O₃.
It is the combination of:
Price + availability + lead time + supply security + formulation flexibility.
2. Lower prices do not necessarily eliminate the underlying risk
A common reaction when antimony prices fall is:
“Let's wait. Antimony is becoming cheaper.”
That may make sense for short-term purchasing.
But formulation decisions are usually much longer-term.
Once a material has been qualified in a PVC, rubber, ABS, PE, PP or other formulation, changing the flame-retardant package can involve:
In other words, formulation flexibility has value even when the commodity price is temporarily lower.
3. This is where antimony-reduction and replacement technologies become interesting
At Linkason Tech, we have been working on this challenge from a different perspective.
Rather than asking customers to simply accept antimony price volatility, our approach is to develop high-efficiency inorganic flame-retardant solutions that can reduce dependence on conventional antimony-based systems.
Our two products, LHX-HB-01 and LHX-999, are designed for customers looking for alternatives to conventional antimony-based flame-retardant formulations.
They are part of Linkason Tech's broader portfolio of inorganic flame-retardant solutions serving applications including plastics, cables, rubber, glass and other industrial materials.
4. The value proposition is bigger than “a cheaper substitute”
For us, replacing antimony is not simply a matter of finding a lower-cost powder.
A meaningful alternative needs to be evaluated from the perspective of the whole formulation.
Depending on the application, the relevant questions include:
Can the required flame-retardant performance be maintained?
Can the formulation reduce its dependence on Sb₂O₃?
How does the alternative affect processing and dispersion?
What happens to mechanical and electrical properties?
How stable is the raw-material supply?
What is the total formulation cost rather than simply the price per kilogram?
This is why we believe the future of flame-retardant technology will increasingly move from single-material purchasing decisions toward formulation-level optimization.
5. Antimony may remain important — but it does not have to be the only option
I don't believe the answer is that antimony will suddenly disappear from the flame-retardant industry.
Antimony trioxide remains an important and technically established synergist in many halogen-containing systems.
The opportunity is different:
Can we reduce dependence on it where technically and economically appropriate?
That is a much more practical question.
And it is particularly relevant for manufacturers serving global customers who increasingly care about:
cost stability + supply security + formulation flexibility + regulatory resilience.
6. Why we are developing LHX-HB-01 and LHX-999
At Linkason Tech, our goal is not simply to sell another flame-retardant powder.
Our goal is to help customers find more resilient formulation solutions.
LHX-HB-01 and LHX-999 are two products in our portfolio developed around this opportunity.
For customers currently using Sb₂O₃, the most meaningful way to evaluate an alternative is not by looking at the product price alone.
It is to conduct a side-by-side formulation trial and compare:
Flame-retardant performance | Loading level | Processing | Mechanical properties | Electrical properties | Total formulation cost
That is where the real value of an alternative material becomes visible.
My takeaway from the 2026 antimony market
The recent fall in antimony prices may eventually bring some relief to buyers.
But the bigger lesson from the 2026 market is about dependency.
When a strategically important raw material can move by tens of thousands of RMB per tonne within a matter of weeks, companies should at least ask whether they have a second formulation strategy.
You don't need to eliminate antimony from every formulation.
But having an effective alternative can give manufacturers something equally important:
Choice.
At Linkason Tech, we are continuing to work with international customers and formulation partners to explore practical alternatives to conventional antimony-based flame-retardant systems.
If you are currently using Sb₂O₃ in PVC, rubber, ABS, PE, PP or related applications and would like to evaluate an alternative formulation, I would be happy to exchange technical ideas and discuss a trial program.
LHX-HB-01 | LHX-999
More information about our flame-retardant solutions: Linkason Tech
References
1. Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) — China Antimony 99.70% Sb min, current and historical market data, accessed August 17, 2026. SMM Antimony Market Data
2. S&P Global — Antimony Market Report, August 2026.
3. Asian Metal — Antimony Market Summary, 10–14 August 2026, published August 17, 2026. Asian Metal – Antimony Market
4. Linkason Tech Co., Ltd. — Product portfolio and company information. Linkason Tech Official Website
Market data and industry observations are provided for general information and discussion purposes. Actual formulation performance depends on polymer system, flame-retardant package, loading level, processing conditions and end-use requirements.
#Antimony #AntimonyTrioxide #FlameRetardants #FlameRetardant #Plastics #PVC #Rubber #Polymer #CriticalMinerals #SupplyChain #ChemicalIndustry #MaterialsScience #LinkasonTech