Niobium Market Size
| Study Period | 2019-2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 9.92 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Niobium Market Analysis
The Niobium Market size is estimated at 106.85 kilotons in 2024, and is expected to reach 171.49 kilotons by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 9.92% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the market in 2020. This was because of the shutdown of the manufacturing facilities and plants due to the lockdown and restrictions. Supply chain and transportation disruptions further created hindrances for the market. However, the industry witnessed a recovery in 2021, thus rebounding the demand for the market studied.
- Over the medium term, accelerating usage of structural steel and increasing demand for lighter-weight and more fuel-efficient vehicles are some of the factors driving the growth of the market studied.
- On the flip side, limited supply sources and concerns about health issues on acute exposure is expected to hinder the growth of the market.
- However, the expected usage of niobium in next-generation lithium-ion batteries and innovative techniques and mine design are anticipated to provide numerous opportunities over the forecast period.
- Asia-Pacific dominated the market with the largest consumption from countries, such as China and Japan.
Niobium Market Trends
Construction Sector to Dominate the Market
- The construction industry is the largest consumer of niobium across the world. In the construction industry, high-strength niobium micro-alloyed plate products are used to construct bridges, viaducts, high-rise buildings, etc. Heavy machinery, pressure vessels, etc., represent additional applications of micro-alloyed plates. Structural sections are widely used in civil construction, transmission towers, etc., where niobium competes with vanadium.
- Similarly, steel reinforcing bar is used in large concrete structures to increase their resistance to tensile loads. Larger diameter, high-strength grades are produced via the addition of niobium and vanadium, although some modern steel mills also use water cooling, which negates the need for microalloying.
- Furthermore, niobium has also found application in high-strength and wear-resistant rails for railway tracks operating under high axle loads.The building and construction industry is currently driving the demand for High Strength Low Alloys (HSLA) steel, which provides cost savings through weight reduction in buildings and prevents infrastructure failures.
- The construction sector has witnessed major investments in recent years. According to Oxford Economics, the global construction industry is expected to grow by USD 4.5 trillion, or 42%, between 2020 and 2030 to reach USD 15.2 trillion. Also, China, India, the United States, and Indonesia are expected to account for 58.3% of global growth in construction between 2020 and 2030.
- Growth in population, migration from hometowns to service sector clusters, and the growing trend of nuclear families are some of the factors which have been driving residential construction across the world. Factors such as rapid urban migration in major economies, increased government spending in the real estate market for residential construction, along with the growing demand for high-class residential homes are likely to benefit the growth of the market studied.
- Moreover, the construction sector is an important pillar for the growth of the Indian economy. The Indian government has been actively boosting housing construction, aiming to provide houses to about 1.3 billion people.
- The USD 30 million Arkade Aspire Residential Complex project entails the construction of a 35,366 sq. m. residential complex with two 18-story residential towers in Mumbai, India. Construction began in Q2 2022 and is expected to be completed in Q1 2025. In North America, the United States has a major share in the construction industry. Besides the United States, Canada and Mexico contribute significantly to the investments in the construction sector.
- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the value of new construction output in the United States amounted to USD 1,792.9 billion in December 2022. The non-residential sector accounted for USD 997.14 billion in March 2023, registering a growth of 18.8% compared to the same period the previous year.
- Furthermore, in Canada, various government projects, including the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI), New Building Canada Plan (NBCP), and Made in Canada, are set to support the sector's expansion. In August 2022, the Canadian government announced a significant investment of more than USD 2 billion to fund three important initiatives that may collectively help develop approximately 17,000 houses for families across the nation, including thousands of affordable housing units.
- Additionally, the European construction sector grew by 2.5% in 2022 due to new investments from the EU Recovery Fund. Business confidence picked up in early 2022, despite price pressures at most EU construction firms, and is expected to reach pre-COVID-19 levels. Moreover, as the crisis due to COVID-19 abates and builders become less reluctant to invest in new corporate buildings and renovate existing properties. Non-residential construction is expected to pick up the pace, thus supporting overall growth in the construction market. The major construction projects in 2022 accounted for non-residential construction (offices, hospitals, hotels, schools, and industrial buildings), accounting for 31.3% of total activity.
- Therefore, such robust growth in construction across the world is likely to boost the demand for the consumption of niobium during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Market
- Asia-Pacific dominated the global market. With accelerating usage in structural steel and growing usage in the automobile and aerospace industry in countries such as China, India, and Japan, the consumption of niobium is increasing in the region.
- The consumption of niobium is very high in steel manufacturing in the form of ferroniobium, and the construction industry is thriving in several emerging economies, such as China and India, among others. For instance, according to the World Steel Association, China produced an estimated 92.6 million tonnes of steel in April 2023 and a total of 354.4 million tonnes from January to April 2023, a 4.1% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
- Moreover, according to the China Iron and Steel Association, the economy's benchmark China's steel industry was buoyed by increased demand after the country's declining response to the pandemic and efforts to support the economy. In addition, the steel sector is on an upward trend in 2023, supported by a stable real estate market and a recovery in other steel-consuming industries such as automobiles, ships, and construction. This, in turn, is expected to impact the market positively.
- China is one of the largest producers of passenger cars, due to the improving logistics and supply chains, increased business activity, and the country's raft of pro-consumption measures, among other factors contributing to the passenger car market products in the country. Therefore, this has increased demand for niobium market from the country's passenger car segment. For instance, according to OICA, in 2022, the passenger car production in China amounted to 2,38,36,083 units, which showed an increase of 11% compared to 2021.
- Further, the automobile industry in the country is witnessing switching trends as the consumer inclination toward battery-operated vehicles is on the higher side. Moreover, the government of China estimates a 20% penetration rate of electric vehicle production by 2025. This is reflected in the electric vehicle sales trend in the country, which went record-breaking high in 2022.
- The infrastructure sector is an important pillar of the Indian economy. The government is taking various initiatives to ensure the timely creation of excellent infrastructure in the country. The government is focusing on railways, road development, housing, urban development, and airport development.
- The residential sector in India is on an increasing trend, with government support and initiatives further boosting the demand. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MoHUA) allocated USD 9.85 billion in the 2022-2023 budget to construct houses and create funds to complete the halted projects.
- Furthermore, Indonesia expects to begin construction in the second quarter on apartments worth USD 2.7 billion for thousands of civil servants due to move to its new capital city on Borneo island. Moreover, tndonesian government intends to finance it for 80% through foreign investments. Therefore, this is expected to create an upside demand for the consumption for niobium market from the contry's residential construction.
- Japan is the third-biggest producer of crude steel worldwide, which is a major end-user for the Niobium Market. The crude steel output in Japan fell by around 7.4% in 2022 from the previous year owing to a slow recovery in automobile manufacturing and weaker export demand amid a slowdown in the global economy. As per the data of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation, the crude steel production in the country reached 89.2 million tons in 2022, as compared to 96.3 million tons in 2021.
- Considering the aforementioned factors, the Asia-Pacific niobium market is anticipated to rise steadily over the forecast period.
Niobium Industry Overview
The Niobium Market is consolidated in nature. The major players in this market (not in any particular order) include CBMM, CMOC, Magris Performance Materials, NioCorp Development Ltd, and Changsha South Tantalum Niobium Co.,Ltd., among others.
Niobium Market Leaders
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CBMM
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CMOC
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Magris Performance Materials
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NioCorp Development Ltd
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Changsha South Tantalum Niobium Co.,Ltd.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Niobium Market News
- December 2022: CBMM announced a significant investment of USD 80 million to expand its niobium oxide capacity from 500 tons to 3,000 tons by 2024. Collaborating with Echion Technologies, CBMM plans to establish a niobium oxide facility at its Araxá plant in Minas Gerais, Brazil, aligning with its goal of achieving a niobium oxide capacity of 40,000 tons by 2030.
- March 2022: CBMM formed a partnership with Horwin Brasil, a manufacturer of electric motorcycles, with the aim of enhancing access to clean energy and promoting electromobility in the nation. The agreement focused on applying a lithium-ion battery with Niobium in electric two-wheel vehicles. In this partnership, CBMM invested 70 million reais in 2022 and projected sales of 500 tons of niobium oxide. The company's target is to increase niobium product sales to 50,000 tons by 2030.
- January 2022: Kymera International completed the acquisition of Telex Metals, a global supplier of tantalum, tungsten, and niobium particulates. This strategic acquisition will expand Kymera's business into tantalum and niobium materials.
Niobium Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
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4.1 Drivers
- 4.1.1 Accelerating Usage in Structural Steel
- 4.1.2 Growing Demand for Lighter-Weight and More Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
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4.2 Restraints
- 4.2.1 Limited Supply Sources
- 4.2.2 Concerns About Health Issues on Acute Exposure
- 4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
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4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services
- 4.4.5 Degree of Competition
- 4.5 Technological Snapshot/ Production Analysis
- 4.6 Price Trends
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size in Volume)
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5.1 Occurrence
- 5.1.1 Carbonatites and Associates
- 5.1.2 Columbite-Tantalite
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5.2 Type
- 5.2.1 Ferroniobium
- 5.2.2 Niobium Oxide
- 5.2.3 Niobium Metal
- 5.2.4 Vacuum-Grade Niobium Alloys
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5.3 Application
- 5.3.1 Steel
- 5.3.2 Super Alloys
- 5.3.3 Superconducting Magnets and Capacitors
- 5.3.4 Batteries
- 5.3.5 Other Applications
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5.4 End-user Industry
- 5.4.1 Construction
- 5.4.2 Automotive and Shipbuilding
- 5.4.3 Aerospace and Defense
- 5.4.4 Oil and Gas
- 5.4.5 Other End-user Industries
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5.5 Geography
- 5.5.1 Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.1.1 China
- 5.5.1.2 India
- 5.5.1.3 Japan
- 5.5.1.4 South Korea
- 5.5.1.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.2 North America
- 5.5.2.1 United States
- 5.5.2.2 Canada
- 5.5.2.3 Mexico
- 5.5.3 Europe
- 5.5.3.1 Germany
- 5.5.3.2 United Kingdom
- 5.5.3.3 Russia
- 5.5.3.4 Italy
- 5.5.3.5 Rest of Europe
- 5.5.4 South America
- 5.5.4.1 Brazil
- 5.5.4.2 Argentina
- 5.5.4.3 Rest of South America
- 5.5.5 Middle-East and Africa
- 5.5.5.1 Saudi Arabia
- 5.5.5.2 South Africa
- 5.5.5.3 Rest of Middle-East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements
- 6.2 Market Share (%)**/Ranking Analysis
- 6.3 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players
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6.4 Company Profiles
- 6.4.1 Admat Inc.
- 6.4.2 Australian Strategic Materials Ltd
- 6.4.3 CBMM
- 6.4.4 Changsha South Tantalum Niobium Co.,Ltd
- 6.4.5 CMOC
- 6.4.6 Grandview Materials
- 6.4.7 Magris Performance Materials
- 6.4.8 NioCorp Development Ltd.
- 6.4.9 Titanex GmbH
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
- 7.1 Expected Usage of Niobium in Next-Generation Lithium Ion Battery
- 7.2 Innovative Techniques and Mine Designing
Niobium Industry Segmentation
Niobium is a rare, soft, malleable, ductile, gray-white metal. Niobium is primarily used in alloys, including stainless steel. It improves the strength of the alloys, particularly at low temperatures. At present, it is gaining momentum in lithium-ion battery production.
The niobium market is segmented based on occurrence, type, application, end-user industry, and geography. By occurrence, the market is segmented into carbonatites and associates and columbite-tantalite. By type, the market is segmented into ferroniobium, niobium oxide, niobium metal, and vacuum grade niobium alloys. By application, the market is segmented by steel, superalloys, superconducting magnets and capacitors, batteries, and other applications. By end-user industry, the market is segmented by construction, automotive and shipbuilding, aerospace and defense, oil and gas, and other end-user industries. The report offers market size and forecasts for 15 countries across major regions. For each segment, market sizing and forecasts have been done on the basis of volume (tons) for all the above segments.
| Occurrence | Carbonatites and Associates | |
| Columbite-Tantalite | ||
| Type | Ferroniobium | |
| Niobium Oxide | ||
| Niobium Metal | ||
| Vacuum-Grade Niobium Alloys | ||
| Application | Steel | |
| Super Alloys | ||
| Superconducting Magnets and Capacitors | ||
| Batteries | ||
| Other Applications | ||
| End-user Industry | Construction | |
| Automotive and Shipbuilding | ||
| Aerospace and Defense | ||
| Oil and Gas | ||
| Other End-user Industries | ||
| Geography | Asia-Pacific | China |
| India | ||
| Japan | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| Geography | Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | ||
| Russia | ||
| Italy | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Geography | South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Geography | Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia |
| South Africa | ||
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa |
Niobium Market Research FAQs
How big is the Niobium Market?
The Niobium Market size is expected to reach 106.85 kilotons in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 9.92% to reach 171.49 kilotons by 2029.
What is the current Niobium Market size?
In 2024, the Niobium Market size is expected to reach 106.85 kilotons.
Who are the key players in Niobium Market?
CBMM, CMOC, Magris Performance Materials, NioCorp Development Ltd and Changsha South Tantalum Niobium Co.,Ltd. are the major companies operating in the Niobium Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Niobium Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Niobium Market?
In 2024, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Niobium Market.
What years does this Niobium Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Niobium Market size was estimated at 96.25 kilotons. The report covers the Niobium Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Niobium Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Niobium Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Niobium market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Niobium analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2024 to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
