Asian Metal meets Floridienne Chimie

On the 9th October 2013 Asian Metal Analyst, Mark Moore, met with Robert van Quickelberghe, Jacques Maubert and Laurent Smits of Floridienne Chemie whilst they were in London attending events for LME week. Floridienne Chimie produces a range of products which centralise around zinc and cadmium salts from facilities across Europe but mostly in from facilities in Belgium.

Robert and Jacques noted that in recent years the geographic markets for Floridienne Chemie’s cadmium market has been moving, as the European Union place further regulations and restriction on cadmium production, trading and usage. Robert confirmed they are REACH registered but explained that this significantly reduces the profit margin on the cadmium products due to the costs involved. Jacques advised the growing markets are in South America and Asian where they have not got the same restriction on the usage of cadmium.

Laurent explained the changes to the rules surrounding cadmium are very politically motivated, with Scandinavian countries being one of the driving forces behind the restriction of cadmium usage in power tools. Laurent advised that cadmium recovery rate from NiCd batteries was higher than any other batteries, estimated at between 75-80%, whilst lithium ion batteries only see 15-20% recycling.

Laurent also noted the impact on humans from NiCd batteries is very limited with fertilisers that have cadmium content that are used in Europe being more damaging as the cadmium gets concentrated in the food chain, a topic which is being put forward for discussion in the European Union.

Robert confirmed that Floridienne Chemie is reliant on the information and pricing guides provided by Asian Metal and appreciate the efforts of all Asian Metal analysts to provide clear, concise and accurate information and prices.