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Global production of molybdenum falls while usage remains the same in Q3 2022
05/01/2023
Figures released today by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show that global production of molybdenum fell by 1% to 142.4million pounds (mlbs) in Q3 2022 compared to the previous quarter, a 2% fall when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
Global usage of molybdenum in Q3 2022 remained broadly static at 160.4 mlbs when compared to the previous quarter, although this represented a 10% rise when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
China remained the largest producer of molybdenum at 62.6 mlbs – a 14% rise when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, but static when compared to the previous quarter. South America remained the second largest producer of molybdenum at 38.9 mlbs – a 6% fall when compared to the previous quarter and a 15% fall when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Production in North America rose 4% to 27.4 mlbs when compared to the previous quarter, although this represented a 13% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Other regions saw a 4% decrease in production to 13.5 mlbs when compared to the previous quarter, although this represented a 10% rise when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
China remained the largest user of molybdenum at 68.9 mlbs - a 2% rise when compared to the previous quarter, but a significant 23% increase when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Europe remained the second largest user of molybdenum at 29.5 mlbs - a 7% fall compared to the previous quarter and a 3% fall when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Production in Other Regions saw a 1% increase to 29.0 mlbs compared to the previous quarter, a 16% rise when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The USA saw the largest rise in usage, 5%, to 15.7 mlbs when compared to the previous quarter, although this represented a 3% increase when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Japan saw a 4% rise in usage to 12.9 mlbs when compared to the previous quarter but a 1% fall when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Usage in CIS saw the largest fall, 15%, to 4.5 mlbs when compared the previous quarter, a 21% fall when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
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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