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Molybdenum production and use increase in second quarter
18/11/2016
Global production of molybdenum increased to 126.6 million pounds in the second quarter of 2016, up 8% from 117.7 million pounds in the previous quarter, but down 9% compared with the same period in 2015, figures released today by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show. Global use of molybdenum in the second quarter also increased to 127.8 million pounds, up 6% from 120.8 million pounds in the previous quarter but down 3% compared with the same period in 2015.
China was the biggest producer, with 44.5 million pounds in the second quarter of 2016, up 28% from 34.7 million pounds in the previous quarter, but 14% less than in the same period in 2015. Production in South America came a very close second at 43.2 million pounds, down 3% from 44.6 million pounds in the previous quarter, but an increase of 10% compared to the same period in 2015. Production in North America was 25.7 million pounds, up 2% from 25.2 million pounds in the previous quarter, but 33% less than in the same quarter in 2015. Production in other countries fell slightly to 13.2 million pounds.
China remained the biggest user, at 42.4 million pounds in the second quarter of 2016, up 10% from 38.6 million pounds in the previous quarter, but 8% less than the same period in 2015. Europe was the second largest user at 32.8 million pounds, down 1% from 33.1 million pounds in the previous quarter, and down 7% compared to the same period in 2015.
Usage in the USA was 15.2 million pounds, an increase of 10% from 13.8 million pounds in the previous quarter, and 14% higher compared to the same quarter in 2015, while usage in Japan fell by 3% to 11.5 million pounds, 10% less than in the same period last year. Usage in the CIS countries remained static at 4.9 million pounds, while usage in other countries increased from 18.7 to 21 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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