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MOLYBDENUM USE AND PRODUCTION AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

Issued at 2012-06-13



Global use of molybdenum reached a new record high of 537.1 million lbs in 2011.  Full-year figures from the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) also show global production at a new record of 534.6 million lbs for the year.

The greatest usage of molybdenum in 2011 was recorded in China, where use increased from 148.5 million lbs in 2010 to 168.0 million lbs in 2011.  Europe recorded the second biggest share with 133 million lbs, up from 113.9 million lbs in 2010.  The USA and Japan were the third and fourth largest users of molybdenum accounting for 76.7 and 60.8 million lbs respectively.

North America remained the biggest molybdenum producing area in 2011, with production increasing to 183.1 million lbs.  Production in China rose to 177.0 million lbs.  South America was the third largest region, accounting for 129.7 million lbs in 2011, with other molybdenum producing regions contributing 44.8 million lbs.

New figures for the fourth quarter of 2011, also released, saw China’s molybdenum production rise fractionally from 47.1 in the third quarter of 2011 to 47.4 million lbs in Q4. The same quarter saw North American production fall from 45.9 in Q3 to 39.4 million lbs in Q4, with production in South America rising from 31.9 in Q3 to 32.1 million lbs in Q4.

China used 44.5 million lbs in Q4 compared with 31.7 million lbs in Europe. The USA and Japan used 18.3 and 15.0 million lbs respectively.

Tim Outteridge, IMOA’s Secretary-General, commented: “In terms of both production and use, 2011 was another record-breaking year for molybdenum.”

IMOA is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of most of the world’s molybdenum producers and converters, as well as consumers and traders.  IMOA releases quarterly and full-year statistics as part of the services it provides to its members.

Molybdenum is added to steels and cast irons 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.

Issued on behalf of IMOA by Stratia Ltd
For more information contact:


Alan Hughes
T: +44 (0)1606 852011   M: +44 (0)7759 243969
E: alan@stratia.co.uk 


Source: Ductile Iron Society



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