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Global molybdenum production remains the same, while use rises in Q3 2025
05/01/2026
Figures released by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show that global production of molybdenum remained broadly static at 167.8 mlbs in Q3 2025 compared to the previous quarter; however, this represented a 4% increase when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
Global usage of molybdenum in Q3 2025 rose by 3% to 169.1 mlbs when compared to the previous quarter and the same quarter of the previous year.
China remained the largest producer of molybdenum at 75.3 mlbs – a 1% fall compared to the previous quarter, although a 2% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. South America remained the second largest producer of molybdenum 43.9 mlbs – a 1% rise on the previous quarter but a 6% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Production in North America fell 3% to 32.3 mlbs compared with the previous quarter, but rose 18% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Production in Other Regions rose 1% to 16.3 mlbs compared to the previous quarter, a 19% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
China remained the largest user of molybdenum at 87.4 mlbs – a 6% rise compared to the previous quarter, and a 9% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Europe, the second largest user of molybdenum, saw a fall of 13% to 26.4 mlbs compared to the previous quarter - a 7% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Use in Other Regions rose 14% to 24.0 mlbs - a 7% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The USA saw use rise by 9% to 16.5 mlbs compared to the previous quarter - a 4% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Use in Japan fell 1% to 10.4 mlbs – a 5% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. CIS saw the largest percentage fall in usage, 19%, to 4.2 mlbs compared to both the previous quarter and the same quarter of the previous year.
General information for media
- IMOA’s Annual Review offers more information on IMOA’s work and achievements
- 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 LinkedIn.
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