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Molybdenum production and use fall in first quarter
31/07/2017
Global production of molybdenum decreased to 127.8 million pounds in the first quarter of 2017, down 9% from 140.8 million pounds in the previous quarter, but up 14% compared with the same period in 2016. Global use of molybdenum in the first quarter also fell, down 3% to 134.6 million pounds but up 15% compared with the same period in 2016, figures released today by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show.
China remained the biggest producer, with 45.6 million pounds in the first quarter of 2017, down 14% from 53.3 million pounds in the previous quarter, but 32% more than in the same period in 2016. Production in South America fell from 45.4 million pounds in the last quarter of 2016 to 43.2 million pounds in the first quarter of 2017 - a fall of 5% - and 3% less compared to the same period in 2016. Production in North America was 30.1 million pounds in the first quarter, down 8% from 32.8 million pounds in the previous quarter, but an increase of 21% compared with the same quarter in 2016. Production in other countries fell by 4% to 9 million pounds.
China remained the biggest user, at 46.3 million pounds in the first quarter of 2017, down 17% from 55.7 million pounds in the last quarter of 2016, but an increase of 20% compared to the same period in 2016. Europe was the second largest user at 36.1 million pounds, an increase of 7% from 33.8 million pounds in the previous quarter, and up by 9% compared to the same period in 2016.
Usage in the USA was 13.8 million pounds, up 8% from 12.8 million pounds in the last quarter of 2016, and an increase of 11% compared to the same quarter in 2016, while usage in Japan increased by 4% to 13 million pounds, 9% more than in the same period last year. Usage in the CIS countries was static at 4.6 million pounds, while usage in other countries increased by 3% from 20.2 to 20.8 million pounds.
General information for media
IMOA is a non profit trade association, representing the majority of the molybdenum industry worldwide. It works to raise awareness about the unique properties of molybdenum, its beneficial effects on materials performance, its safety in use and its contribution to sustainable development.
Molybdenum is added to alloy steels to improve strength, toughness, hardenability and weldability for numerous applications in the automotive, shipbuilding, construction, mining, chemical, oil & gas and energy generation industries. In stainless steels and superalloys, it improves corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance and finds uses in many industrial applications. It is also used in a variety of products from catalysts and lubricants to pigments and paint.
IMOA has a strict antitrust compliance policy which delegates of all meetings are required to observe. All such meetings are observed by legal counsel.
For more information please email the communications team at media@imoa.info.
For up-to-date information please follow IMOA on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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