Global production of molybdenum decreased to 131.4 million pounds in the third quarter of 2015, down 8% from 142.1 million pounds in the previous quarter, and down 15% compared with the same period in 2014, says the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA).
Global use of molybdenum in the third quarter also fell to 123.4 million pounds, down 5% from 129.5 million pounds in the previous quarter and down 12% compared with the same period in 2014, the organization reports. China remained the biggest producer, with 46.6 million pounds in the third quarter of 2015, down 11% from 52.3 million pounds in the second quarter, and 9% less than the same period in 2014. Production in South America fell from 41.3 million pounds in the second quarter to 39 million pounds in the third quarter, a fall of 5%, but an increase of 5% compared to the same period in 2014. Production in North America was 35.1 million pounds in the third quarter, down 8% from 38.1 million pounds in the second quarter, and 36% less than in the same quarter in 2014. Production in other countries increased fractionally to 10.6 million pounds.
Biggest user China also remained the biggest user, at 43.8 million pounds in the third quarter of 2015, down 5% from 46.3 million pounds in the second quarter, and a fall of 14% compared to the same period in 2014. Europe was the second largest user at 31.6 million pounds, down 7% from 34.1 million pounds in the previous quarter, and down 9% compared to the same period in 2014. Usage in the USA was 13.1 million pounds, down 2% from 13.4 million pounds in the second quarter of 2015 and down 15% compared to the same quarter in 2014, while usage in Japan increased 2% from 12.8 million pounds in the second quarter to 13 million pounds in the third quarter. Usage in the CIS countries decreased slightly from 5.5 to 5.2 million pounds, while usage in other countries fell from 17.4 to 16.7 million pounds.
This story uses material from the IMOA, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
