Molybdenum Market - Size, Share, Industry Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2031)

Molybdenum Market Dynamics - (DRO) :

Key Drivers :

Growing demand for high-strength and corrosion-resistant materials

Molybdenum is a versatile element that is added to alloys to improve their strength, hardness, ductility, and corrosion resistance. It is used in a variety of electronic components, such as transistors and circuit boards. As the requirement for electronics continues to grow, the demand is also expected to increase. It is a versatile element that is added to alloys to improve their strength, hardness, ductility, and corrosion resistance. Molybdenum alloys are used in a wide range of automotive components, including engine parts, landing gear, and suspension systems. Significant growth in the production of electric vehicles is driving the need for lightweight and high-strength materials which is benefiting the segment growth across the globe. They are used in a wide range of applications, including aircraft and automotive parts, construction materials, and oil and gas equipment. For instance, according to the report by the International Energy Agency in July 2023, electric vehicle sales in 2022 accounted for 22 million, which is a 4% increase from the previous year 2020. Hence, the analysis of market trends shows that the growth in demand for high-strength and corrosion-resistant materials from various end-user industries is driving the molybdenum market growth worldwide.

Increasing steel production across the globe is driving the market.

Molybdenum is used to produce steel by adding it to molten iron in small quantities. It has several beneficial effects on the properties of steel, such as high strength, hardness, ductility, and improved corrosion resistance. It also increases the hardness of steel by forming hard carbides. These carbides are very resistant to wear and tear, which makes this steel ideal for applications where high hardness is required.

It improves the ductility of steel by preventing the formation of grain boundaries. Grain boundaries are weak points in steel, so reducing their number makes the steel more ductile. Molybdenum alloys with iron to form iron molybdate, which dissolves in the molten iron. For instance, according to the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) in April 2023, China's crude steel production in 2022 reached 1.032 billion tons, up 5.3% from the previous year. This was the highest annual crude steel production on record in China. It is an essential alloying element to produce high-strength, corrosion-resistant, and weldable steel. Thus, the analysis of market trends shows that it is expected to benefit from the aforementioned reasons across the globe, thus driving the molybdenum market growth.

Key Restraints :

High price volatility along with rising environmental concerns

Molybdenum is a relatively rare element in the earth's crust, and most of it is found in a few concentrated regions. This limited availability leads to price fluctuations, especially when there are disruptions in the supply chain. It is often found as a byproduct of mining copper or other minerals. Extracting and processing from these ores can be technically challenging and costly, which significantly improves the production cost. The extraction and refining require significant energy inputs. Energy costs greatly impact the overall cost of production, especially when energy prices are high.

Moreover, mining and processing can have negative environmental impacts, such as water pollution and soil contamination. These environmental concerns could lead to increased regulation of the molybdenum industry, which could increase costs and reduce supply. It is mined using a variety of methods, including surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining can disturb the land and pollute water sources. Underground mining also pollutes water sources and releases harmful gases into the air. Thus, the analysis of market trends shows that the high price volatility along with the rising environmental concerns across the globe are restraining the molybdenum market demand.

Future Opportunities :

Growing demand in the energy sector

Molybdenum is a versatile element that has several applications in clean energy production. It is used in a variety of clean energy technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and fuel cells. It is used in the production of thin-film solar cells. Thin-film solar cells are a type of solar cell that is made from a thin layer of semiconductor material. It is used in the production of semiconductor material that is used in thin-film solar cells. The growing need for clean energy and increasing investments in the development of clean energy projects are increasing the market across the globe. For instance, according to the report by the International Energy Agency in May 2023, 2023, the total investment in clean energy globally is expected to reach USD 2.8 trillion. Furthermore, in February 2023, Saudi Arabia announced the launch of the world's largest solar power facility, which is expected to start operations by 2025, with a generation capacity of 2,060 MW. Thus, the analysis of market trends depicts that the increasing innovation is expected to create lucrative molybdenum market opportunities over the forecast period.

Top Key Players & Market Share Insights:

The molybdenum market is highly competitive, with several large players and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies have strong research and development capabilities and a strong presence in the market through their extensive product portfolios and distribution networks. The molybdenum market is characterized by intense competition, with companies focusing on expanding their product offerings and increasing their market share through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. The key players in the molybdenum industry include-