PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1929387
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1929387
Molybdenum is a chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42. It is a silver-gray, refractory metal that belongs to Group 6 of the periodic table. Molybdenum is primarily known for its strength and durability, especially at high temperatures. It is a valuable component in various alloys, particularly in steel production, where it enhances hardness and strength.
The main product types of molybdenum are steel, chemicals, foundries, Mo-metals, nickel alloy, and others. Steel is an alloy primarily composed of iron and carbon, known for its strength, durability, and versatility. It is widely used in construction, manufacturing, and various industrial applications due to its ability to be molded and treated for specific purposes. It is applied in full alloy, stainless steel, cast iron, and catalysis. The end-user industries include oil and gas, chemicals and petrochemicals, automotive, mechanical engineering, building and construction, power generation, aerospace and defense, electronics and medical, process industry, and others.
Tariffs are impacting the molybdenum market by increasing costs of imported molybdenum concentrates, alloys, and processed molybdenum products used across steelmaking, chemicals, and specialty metal applications. Industrial markets in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported raw and semi-finished materials, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on downstream alloy production. These tariffs are raising material costs and affecting contract pricing. However, they are also encouraging domestic refining, regional alloy production, and diversification of molybdenum supply sources.
The molybdenum market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides molybdenum market statistics, including molybdenum industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a molybdenum market share, detailed molybdenum market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the molybdenum industry. This molybdenum market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The molybdenum market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $5.11 billion in 2025 to $5.36 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of stainless steel production, rising demand from oil and gas applications, increased use in alloy steel manufacturing, growth of industrial machinery production, availability of primary molybdenum mining supply.
The molybdenum market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.42 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand from renewable energy systems, rising use in electric vehicle alloys, expansion of aerospace material applications, growing focus on high-performance industrial alloys, increasing investments in advanced material engineering. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of molybdenum in high-strength alloys, rising demand for corrosion-resistant steel applications, growing adoption in energy and power infrastructure, expansion of molybdenum-based chemical applications, enhanced focus on high-temperature performance materials.
The increasing steel production is expected to propel the growth of the molybdenum market going forward. The increase in steel production is driven by increased demand in construction, automotive, and infrastructure projects globally. Molybdenum enhances steel's strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for high-stress applications. It also improves hardenability and weldability in alloy steels. For instance, in April 2024, according to the World Steel Association, a Belgium-based non-profit association, Africa's steel production reached 1.9 million tons in March 2024, marking a 1.1% increase compared to 2023. Further, the Middle East produced 4.8 million tons of steel in 2024, reflecting a 4.0% rise compared to 2023. Therefore, increasing steel production is driving the molybdenum market.
Major companies operating in the molybdenum market are adopting strategic partnerships approach to enhance production capabilities and expand market reach. Strategic partnerships refer to a process in which companies leverage each other's strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and success. For instance, in August 2023, Univar Solutions Inc., a US-based provider of chemicals and ingredients, partnered with Climax Molybdenum Company, a Sweden-based mining equipment company, to enhance their presence in the Latin American market for molybdenum products, such as Molysulfide, used in greases and coatings. This partnership enables Univar Solutions to broaden its product offerings, supplying customers with a broader range of molybdenum-based solutions essential in industries such as automotive and aerospace. It also ensures more reliable access to critical materials for lubricants and metalworking applications.
In May 2024, Moon River Moly Ltd., a Canada-based company that provides exploration and mining services, acquired a 25% interest in the Endako molybdenum mine complex in British Columbia from Sojitz Moly Resources Inc. for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Moon River broadens its asset portfolio to include a significant stake in one of North America's major molybdenum producers. Sojitz Moly Resources Inc. is a Japan-based company that focuses on molybdenum mining.
Major companies operating in the molybdenum market are Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Teck Resources Limited, Jinduicheng Molybdenum Co. Ltd., China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, Codelco, Antofagasta PLC, Anglo American PLC, Rio Tinto Group, KGHM Polska Miedz S.A., South32, Greenland Resources Inc., Lei Xin Holdings Co., Jiangxi Copper Corporation, Hudbay Minerals Inc., Sierra Gorda SCM, Hot Chili Ltd, Xinhualong Molybdenum, Huludao Wanfeng Metal, Chaoyang Jinda Group
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the molybdenum market in 2025. The regions covered in the molybdenum market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the molybdenum market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The molybdenum market consists of sales of pure molybdenum, molybdenum carbide, molybdenum dioxide, and molybdenum trioxide. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Molybdenum Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses molybdenum market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for molybdenum ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The molybdenum market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.