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Molybdenum production remains static in quarter one 2019
09/07/2019
Figures released today by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show that global production of molybdenum remained static in the first quarter of 2019 when compared to the same quarter last year, while global usage fell by 7%. First quarter global production was 137.9 million pounds which represents a 12% fall compared to the previous quarter.
China remained the largest producer of molybdenum at 51.5 million pounds. Although this represents an 11% rise in comparison to the same quarter in 2018, it is fall of 13% when compared to the previous quarter. South America was the second largest producer at 43.3 million pounds, representing a 10% decrease on the same quarter of 2018 and a 15% decrease on the previous quarter. North America saw a 1% increase in production to 33.4 million pounds, when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, although this represents a 9% fall when compared to the previous quarter. Production in other countries remained static at 9.7 million pounds when compared to the previous quarter, although this represents a 4% drop when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
Global usage fell by 7% to 136.6 million pounds when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, and 1% when compared to the previous quarter. China remained the largest user at 44.5 million pounds, although this represents a fall of 18% when compared to the same quarter of the previous year and a 6% decrease on the previous quarter. Europe was the second largest user at 37.3 million pounds, an increase of 2% when compared to the same quarter of the previous year and a 5% rise on the previous quarter. Usage in Japan was at 13.7 million pounds, 2% below the same quarter of the previous year but 1% up from the previous quarter. The USA saw a 9% drop in usage to 13.5 million pounds when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, a 10% drop when compared to the previous quarter. Usage in the CIS saw the largest percentage increase of 9% to 5.6 million pounds when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, a 7% rise when compared to the previous quarter. Other countries used 21.9 million pounds. Although this represents a 1% drop when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, it is 2% rise on the previous quarter.
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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