About IMOA
The International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) was founded in 1989 to bring together key stakeholders across the global molybdenum value chain. Registered under Belgian law as a non-profit trade association (ASBL) with scientific purposes, IMOA’s membership includes molybdenum miners, converters, and traders as well as steel and alloy producers, recyclers, assayers and logistics providers. Together, we currently represent around 91% of mine production and almost all conversion capacity outside China, along with significant Chinese production.
Supporting sound regulation with robust science
A dedicated Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Executive maintains a watching brief over emerging and developing regulatory matters that impact molybdenum with respect to human health and the environment. The HSE Executive and technical support colleagues coordinate IMOA responses to industry regulation where necessary, drawing upon existing literature and commissioning research and testing where data gaps exist.
Studies are submitted for peer-reviewed publication in technical journals, providing rigorous evidence in support of appropriate regulation. We have developed an OECD-endorsed extensive environmental effects dataset for highly soluble molybdenum salts, which is available to members and which we use to support our discussions with regulators.
IMOA established the Molybdenum Consortium in 2007 to carry out a comprehensive program of hazard identification and risk assessment of the molybdate ion, culminating in the successful registration of 12 molybdenum substances as required by EU REACH Regulation (and other similar global chemicals management programs). It periodically updates the technical dossiers that are the core of each EU REACH registration, and interacts with the European Chemicals Agency as the legislation continually evolves, to ensure continued legal and technical compliance.
Learn more about our HSE activity
Promoting the use of molybdenum
Our proactive market development program is focused on raising awareness of the benefits that molybdenum brings to materials and technologies, enhancing performance, enabling sustainability, and supporting innovation.
We focus on reaching engineers, designers, material specifiers, and fabricators through workshops, conference presentations, training, technical publications, scientific papers, and our comprehensive website. The program is supported by a team of expert consultants who help deliver targeted, high-quality content and outreach.
We also contribute to the development of international standards, particularly in sustainability, structural applications, and high-strength steels, and support research to improve understanding of molybdenum’s effects and identify new opportunities for its use. Through collaboration with partner organizations, we encourage its broader adoption across industries.
Learn more about our Market Development activity
Industry commitment to responsible sourcing
Responsible sourcing is an integral part of IMOA’s work programs. In 2021, IMOA began a collaboration with Copper Mark to develop a molybdenum-specific global accreditation for responsible sourcing, known today as the Molybdenum Mark. Members have been overwhelmingly supportive of the Molybdenum Mark, which is reflected in the number that have now been awarded the globally accredited mark. As of July 2025, 28 sites were awarded the internationally-recognized Molybdenum Mark and four additional sites have signed a Letter of Commitment to pursue accreditation.
Networking platform for our members
Our Annual General Meeting is one of the largest gatherings of the global molybdenum industry, and offers unparalleled networking opportunities along with presentations from leading experts on current industry trends. Other networking events are organized to coincide with IMOA’s Spring committee meetings.
We collate and publish global molybdenum production and use statistics and maintain a comprehensive first and end use analysis of molybdenum, across the main industrial sectors, for our members.
Competition laws are strictly observed under guidance from our legal counsel.
Join our membership
As a non-profit trade association, IMOA offers members a highly cost-effective way to access valuable market development programs, HSE activities, and up-to-date market information – work that would be far more costly for companies to carry out on their own. The current subscription for Minimum Subscriber membership is US$8,500 per year. Producers and converters contribute additional amounts based on production volume.
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