[Ferro-alloys.com]:

Global production of molybdenum was 575.8 million pounds in 2021, a fall of 4% from 602.4 million pounds in 2020, figures released by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show. Global usage rose 13% to 611.2 million pounds from 539.7 million pounds the previous year.

China, the only region to see a rise in production, was the largest producer of molybdenum at 222.3 million pounds, up 14% from 195.0 million pounds in 2020. South America, the second largest producer at 181.3 million pounds, saw a fall of 9% from 198.9 million pounds the previous year. North America produced 128.6 million pounds, a 16% drop from 153.7 million pounds in 2020. Other regions saw the largest drop in production, 20%, to 43.7 million pounds from 54.8 million pounds in 2020.

Global production in Q4 2021 fell 4% in comparison to Q3 2021, with a fall of 2% in South America, 8% in North America and 50% in other regions. China was the only region to see a rise in production, 6% when compared to Q3 2021. When compared to the same quarter of the previous year (Q4 2020), there was a 14% fall in global production. China was, again, the only region to see an increase, 4%, in production when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. South America saw a 13% reduction, North America a 27% fall, while other regions experienced the largest fall at 55% when compared to Q4 2020.

China remained the largest user of molybdenum, 245.6 million pounds, in 2021 but saw the smallest rise, up 5% from 234.6 million pounds, when compared to 2020. Europe remained the second largest user of molybdenum at 129.9 million pounds, up 11% from 116.9 million pounds in 2020. Other regions saw a 29% rise in usage from 77.8 million pounds to 100.6 million pounds in 2021. The USA, the fourth largest user, saw the largest rise, 30%, to 59.9 million pounds from 46.2 million pounds in 2020. Japan saw a 16% increase to 52.6 million pounds from 45.1 million pounds in 2020. CIS saw a 19% rise to 22.5 million pounds from 19.0 million pounds in 2020.

In Q4 global usage fell 5% to 138.3 million pounds when compared to Q3 2021, with a fall of 3% in China, 3% in Europe, 9% in Other regions and 1% in USA while the CIS saw the largest percentage reduction at 42%. Japan was the only region to see a rise in usage, 4% when compared to the previous quarter. When compared to the same quarter of the previous year (Q4 2020), global usage fell 9%, with a fall of 21% in China, 7% in Europe and the largest fall of 38% in CIS. The USA saw a 19% rise, Other regions saw a 7% increase and Japan saw a 16% rise when compared to Q4 2020.

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.

• [Editor:Alakay]