Ferromolybdenum And Molybdenum Oxide Price Review: Historical Market Reference (October 9, 2023)

Oct 09, 2023

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Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella is a product tester at ZhenAn. She conducts comprehensive tests on products to ensure their performance and safety. Her strict testing standards have guaranteed the high - quality of ZhenAn's products in the global market.

Ferromolybdenum and Molybdenum Oxide Price Review: Historical Market Reference (October 9, 2023)

1. Historical Price Snapshot - October 9, 2023

The following data represents a historical molybdenum market reference from October 9, 2023. It is provided for market analysis and price trend research only.

Product	Specification	Low Price	High Price	Price Basis
Ferromolybdenum (FeMo)	65–70% Mo, European market	USD 52.35/kg Mo	USD 52.65/kg Mo	Per kg of contained Mo
Molybdenum Oxide	Approx. 57% Mo	USD 21.90/lb Mo	-	Per lb of contained Mo

Important Note:
Molybdenum prices change continuously due to fluctuations in:

Mine supply

Molybdenum concentrate availability

Steel industry demand

Energy and transportation costs

These historical prices should not be used as current purchasing references. Buyers should request updated quotations based on the required grade, delivery terms and market conditions.

2. Understanding Ferromolybdenum and Molybdenum Oxide

2.1 Ferromolybdenum (FeMo)

Ferromolybdenum is an iron-molybdenum master alloy typically containing:

55–70% molybdenum

Common grades include:

FeMo55

FeMo60

FeMo65

FeMo70

according to standards such as GB/T 3649.

FeMo is mainly used as an alloying additive in:

Stainless steel

Alloy steel

Tool steel

High-speed steel

Heat-resistant steel

Role of Molybdenum in Steel

Molybdenum improves steel performance by increasing:

Hardenability

High-temperature strength

Creep resistance

Corrosion resistance

Wear resistance

2.2 Molybdenum Oxide (Mo Oxide)

Molybdenum oxide is an intermediate molybdenum product mainly produced by roasting molybdenite concentrate (MoS₂) in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Technical-grade molybdenum oxide typically contains:

Approximately 57% Mo

Main applications:

Raw material for ferromolybdenum production

Alloy steel manufacturing

Chemical molybdenum products

In steelmaking, molybdenum oxide may also be processed into briquettes for direct alloying applications.

3. Relationship Between Molybdenum Oxide and Ferromolybdenum Prices

Ferromolybdenum and molybdenum oxide prices are closely linked because both are based on the value of contained molybdenum.

The approximate relationship is influenced by:

Factor	Influence
Mo content	Higher molybdenum percentage increases material value
Conversion cost	FeMo production requires reduction and alloying processes
Impurity levels	Lower impurities may command higher prices
Steel demand	Strong alloy steel demand supports molybdenum consumption

When molybdenum oxide prices rise, ferromolybdenum production costs usually increase accordingly.

4. Main Factors Affecting Molybdenum Prices

4.1 Mine Supply and Concentrate Availability

Most molybdenum supply comes from:

Primary molybdenum mines

Copper-molybdenum mines where molybdenum is produced as a by-product

Therefore, copper mining activity and concentrate availability can influence molybdenum supply.

4.2 Steel Industry Demand

The largest demand driver is the steel industry.

Key consuming sectors include:

Stainless steel production

Energy equipment

Oil and gas pipelines

Engineering alloys

High-temperature applications

4.3 International Molybdenum Benchmark Prices

Market quotations are commonly expressed based on:

USD/lb Mo

USD/kg Mo

USD/ton alloy basis

Understanding the quotation basis is essential when comparing offers from different suppliers.

4.4 Currency and Logistics Costs

International prices are affected by:

USD exchange rates

Ocean freight

Insurance costs

Regional supply conditions

5. Ferromolybdenum and Molybdenum Oxide Procurement Guide

Before purchasing, buyers should confirm the following information:

Product Specification

Specify:

Product type (FeMo or Mo oxide)

Mo content requirement

Applicable standard

Impurity limits

Price Basis

Confirm whether the quotation is based on:

USD/kg Mo content

USD/lb Mo content

USD/ton of alloy product

Different price bases can create significant differences in apparent pricing.

Quality Documents

Request:

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Chemical composition report

Inspection certificate (if required)

Packing information

Delivery Terms

Confirm:

FOB / CIF / CFR terms

Delivery port

Packaging method

Lead time

6. Ferromolybdenum vs Molybdenum Oxide

Comparison	Ferromolybdenum (FeMo)	Molybdenum Oxide
Form	Iron-molybdenum alloy	Oxide intermediate
Typical Mo Content	55–70%	Approx. 57%
Main Use	Direct steel alloying	FeMo production and alloying
Production Route	Metallothermic reduction	Roasting MoS₂ concentrate
Main Buyers	Steel mills, alloy producers	FeMo producers, chemical users

FAQ About Ferromolybdenum and Molybdenum Oxide Prices

1. Why are ferromolybdenum prices quoted by kg of Mo?

Because molybdenum content is the primary value component. Quoting per kg of contained Mo allows comparison between different grades and products.

2. What is the difference between ferromolybdenum and molybdenum oxide?

Ferromolybdenum is a finished iron-molybdenum alloy used directly in steelmaking, while molybdenum oxide is an intermediate material used mainly for FeMo production and other molybdenum applications.