Global production of molybdenum increased to 132.0 million pounds in the third quarter of 2016, up 4% from 126.6 million pounds in the previous quarter, and up 2% compared with the same period in 2015, according to new figures released by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA).
Global use of molybdenum in the third quarter also increased to 130.4 million pounds, up 2% from 127.8 million pounds in the previous quarter and up 3% compared with the same period in 2015. The figures also show an increase in both production and use for the third successive quarter.
China was the biggest producer, with 45.9 million pounds in the third quarter of 2016, up 3% from 44.5 million pounds in the previous quarter, and static compared with the same period in 2015. Production in South America came a very close second at 45.4 million pounds, up 5% from 43.2 million pounds in the previous quarter, and an increase of 18% compared to the same period in 2015. Production in North America was 27.6 million pounds, up 7% from 25.7 million pounds in the previous quarter, but 21% less than in the same quarter in 2015. Production in other countries was static at 13.2 million pounds.
Biggest user
China remained the biggest user, at 41.6 million pounds in the third quarter of 2016, down 2% from 42.4 million pounds in the previous quarter, and 6% less than the same period in 2015. Europe was the second largest user at 31.8 million pounds, down 3% from 32.8 million pounds in the previous quarter, and down 3% compared to the same period in 2015.
Usage in the USA was 17.0 million pounds, an increase of 12% from 15.2 million pounds in the previous quarter, and 30% higher compared to the same quarter in 2015, while usage in Japan increased by 5% to 12.1 million pounds, 8% less than in the same period last year. Usage in the CIS countries fell slightly to 4.7 million pounds, while usage in other countries increased from 21.0 to 23.2 million pounds.
This story is reprinted from material from the IMOA, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
