For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Molybdenum Disulfide Prices in North America
- In United States, the Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock costs.
- The Molybdenum Disulfide Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as PPI rose 4.0% and CPI reached 3.3%.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% in March 2026, while domestic molybdenum concentrate inventories tightened sharply in February 2026.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, which strengthened the Molybdenum Disulfide Demand Outlook for industrial lubricant applications.
- Retail sales grew 4.0% in March 2026, supporting Molybdenum Disulfide consumption in automotive aftermarket maintenance and chassis greases.
- Unemployment stabilized at 4.3% and consumer confidence hit 91.8 in March 2026, sustaining aftermarket automotive lubricant demand.
- Sulfur feedstock costs surged in March 2026 due to severe supply chain disruptions and plummeting global availability.
- United States molybdenum exports increased in February 2026, ensuring the Molybdenum Disulfide Price Forecast remained elevated throughout Q1 2026.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in March 2026 in North America?
- Sulfur feedstock costs surged in March 2026 due to severe Persian Gulf supply chain disruptions.
- Domestic molybdenum concentrate inventories tightened in February 2026 as export volumes significantly outpaced import volumes.
- Industrial lubricant consumption strengthened in March 2026 alongside an expanding Manufacturing Index and robust activity.
Molybdenum Disulfide Prices in APAC
- In China, the Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock costs.
- Molybdenum Disulfide production costs increased in March 2026 as the Producer Price Index rose by 0.5%.
- Industrial production grew by 5.7% in March 2026, supporting Molybdenum Disulfide demand in heavy machinery applications.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, which drove higher consumption of Molybdenum Disulfide industrial lubricants.
- Retail sales grew 1.7% and the Consumer Price Index rose 1.0% in March 2026, limiting consumer-driven demand.
- Unemployment reached 5.4% in March 2026 and consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026, dampening automotive demand.
- Automotive lubricant base oil consumption weakened in Q1 2026, reducing Molybdenum Disulfide demand in the automotive sector.
- Sulfur port inventories tightened and Middle East sulfur imports plummeted in Q1 2026, elevating production expenses.
- Molybdenum concentrate feedstock costs strengthened in Q1 2026 due to declining ore grades at primary extraction mines.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Sulfur feedstock costs surged in Q1 2026, driven by elevated freight and regional insurance expenses.
- Domestic molybdenum concentrate stockpiles tightened in Q1 2026 amid constrained mining output and declining ore grades.
- Middle East shipping disruptions strengthened regional energy and freight costs for Molybdenum Disulfide in Q1 2026.
Molybdenum Disulfide Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by escalating sulfur costs.
- The Molybdenum Disulfide Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as inflation reached 2.7 percent year-over-year.
- Producer prices declined 0.2 percent in March 2026, while the Manufacturing Index expanded, supporting industrial activity.
- Industrial production remained stagnant at 0.0 percent in February 2026, stabilizing the Molybdenum Disulfide Demand Outlook.
- Retail sales grew 0.7 percent and unemployment held at 4.2 percent in February 2026, sustaining automotive applications.
- Consumer confidence dropped to -24.7 in March 2026, negatively impacting Molybdenum Disulfide usage in vehicle manufacturing.
- European sulfur import volumes faced restrictions in Q1 2026, tightening inventories for Molybdenum Disulfide producers.
- The Molybdenum Disulfide Price Forecast reflected upward pressure in March 2026 due to constrained concentrate shipments.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Molybdenum concentrate feedstock costs firmed in March 2026 due to constrained regional mining shipments.
- Sulfur feedstock import costs escalated progressively throughout Q1 2026, driving up chemical synthesis expenses.
- Natural gas energy costs surged in January 2026, elevating processing expenses for refractory metals.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Molybdenum Disulfide Prices in North America
- In United States, Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by tight global supply and industrial activity.
- Molybdenum Disulfide price trends showed upward pressure in Q4 2025, influenced by persistent tight global supply conditions.
- Production costs for Molybdenum Disulfide faced upward pressure in Q4 2025, as the Producer Price Index rose 3.0% year-over-year in November.
- The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, contributing to overall inflationary pressures.
- Aerospace industry demand for Molybdenum Disulfide strengthened significantly in Q4 2025, driven by robust engine orders.
- High mining activity throughout Q4 2025, fueled by accelerating commodity prices, bolstered Molybdenum Disulfide demand.
- Overall Molybdenum Disulfide demand was supported by a 2.0% year-over-year increase in industrial production in December 2025.
- Retail sales increased 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, indirectly supporting Molybdenum Disulfide demand.
- A 4.4% unemployment rate and moderate consumer confidence (89.1) in December 2025 supported underlying economic activity.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in December 2025 in North America?
- Tighter global molybdenum supply in Q4 2025 added upward pressure on Molybdenum Disulfide prices.
- Industrial production rose 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, boosting Molybdenum Disulfide demand.
- Producer Price Index increased 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025, elevating Molybdenum Disulfide costs.
Molybdenum Disulfide Prices in APAC
- In China, the Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by retreating molybdenum concentrate prices.
- Molybdenum Disulfide production costs declined in Q4 2025 as molybdenum concentrate prices retreated.
- Demand for Molybdenum Disulfide faced headwinds in December 2025 due to low CPI (0.8%) and retail sales (0.9%).
- Industrial production increased by 5.2% in December 2025, supporting Molybdenum Disulfide demand in manufacturing.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, indicating growth in industrial activity for Molybdenum Disulfide.
- Molybdenum Disulfide supply growth was constrained in October 2025 by environmental policies and extreme weather.
- Raw material inventories for manufacturing declined in October 2025, while purchasing stagnated in November 2025.
- New export sales for manufacturing declined modestly in December 2025, impacting Molybdenum Disulfide trade flows.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Molybdenum concentrate prices retreated in Q4 2025, reducing production costs for Molybdenum Disulfide.
- Weak industrial demand, evidenced by a -1.9% PPI in December 2025, pressured Molybdenum Disulfide prices.
- Moderated automotive sales and declining smartphone shipments in Q4 2025 reduced Molybdenum Disulfide end-use demand.
Molybdenum Disulfide Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by weakening molybdenum ore prices.
- In Europe, the Molybdenum Disulfide Price in December 2025 stood at 33630 USD/MT FOB.
- Molybdenum Disulfide production costs saw mixed trends in Q4 2025, with molybdenum ore prices weakening.
- European natural gas prices strengthened towards late Q4 2025, driven by tightening storage levels.
- German industrial production modestly rose by 0.8% year-on-year in October 2025, supporting demand.
- The Producer Price Index declined by 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, indicating deflationary pressure.
- Consumer confidence was significantly pessimistic at -12.0% in December 2025, dampening Molybdenum Disulfide demand.
- Global molybdenum production increased in Q4 2025, while the supply-demand balance tightened.
- Demand from the German automotive sector weakened for most of 2025, affecting Molybdenum Disulfide consumption.
- The Consumer Price Index rose by 1.8% year-on-year in December 2025, indicating moderate inflation and cost increases.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Molybdenum ore prices weakened in Q4 2025, reducing a key production cost for Molybdenum Disulfide.
- The Producer Price Index declined by 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, exerting downward pressure on prices.
- European natural gas prices strengthened towards December 2025, increasing Molybdenum Disulfide production costs.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In the United States, Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index rose in Q3 2025, due to rising raw material costs and tightened global supply.
- Production costs increased from inclined molybdenum raw material costs, influenced by a 2.6% year-over-year PPI rise in August 2025.
- Overall inflation, indicated by a 3.0% year-over-year CPI increase in September 2025, contributed to higher operational expenses.
- Demand outlook was mixed; industrial production grew 0.1% in September 2025, yet retail sales rose 5.42% year-over-year.
- Global molybdenum availability tightened in Q3 2025 due to maintenance shutdowns, impacting Molybdenum Disulfide supply.
- US manufacturing inventories remained largely unchanged in August 2025, with limited Molybdenum Disulfide imports in Q3 2025.
- Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, while the unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in September 2025.
- Demand for molybdenum strengthened in stainless steel, oil & gas, and aerospace sectors during Q3 2025.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in September 2025 in North America?
- Molybdenum raw material costs and a 2.6% PPI increase in August 2025 elevated production expenses.
- Global molybdenum availability tightened in Q3 2025 due to maintenance shutdowns, restricting supply.
- Despite 0.1% industrial production growth in September 2025, demand strengthened in key end-use sectors.
APAC
- In China, the Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased feedstock costs and tightened supply.
- Molybdenum Disulfide production costs increased sharply in Q3 2025 due to elevated molybdenum concentrate feedstock prices.
- Demand for Molybdenum Disulfide strengthened in Q3 2025, supported by surging automotive and stainless-steel manufacturing sectors.
- The Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, indicating reduced overall industrial activity.
- Industrial production expanded by 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, providing underlying support for Molybdenum Disulfide demand.
- Spot supply of molybdenum concentrate tightened in Q3 2025, with domestic supply declining due to mine maintenance.
- Minimal molybdenum imports into China in Q3 2025 exacerbated domestic supply pressures, contributing to price increase.
- Consumer confidence remained pessimistic at 89.6 in September 2025, while CPI fell -0.3% year-on-year.
- Retail sales increased by 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, indirectly supporting manufacturing activities.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Molybdenum concentrate feedstock costs increased sharply in Q3 2025, elevating production expenses.
- Domestic molybdenum supply tightened in Q3 2025 due to mine maintenance and limited capacity.
- Strong demand from automotive and stainless steel sectors outpaced available Molybdenum Disulfide supply.
Europe
- In Germany, the Molybdenum Disulfide Price Index rose in Q3 2025, driven by increasing global molybdenum raw material costs.
- Production costs increased due to rising global molybdenum prices and structurally high energy expenses for European producers.
- German industrial production fell 1.0% in September 2025, with the Manufacturing Index contracting in Q3 2025.
- Demand for Molybdenum Disulfide in automotive lubricants surged, and the electronics sector showed growth in Q3 2025.
- Global molybdenum availability declined through Q3 2025, contributing to tighter supply and upward price pressure.
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.4% year-over-year in September 2025, impacting producer operational expenses.
- Producer Price Index (PPI) decreased 1.7% year-over-year in September 2025, mainly due to lower industrial energy prices.
- Germany's unemployment rate remained stable at 6.3%, while retail sales rose 0.2% in September 2025, indicating mixed economic signals.
Why did the price of Molybdenum Disulfide change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Global molybdenum prices and raw material costs increased during Q3 2025.
- Molybdenum concentrate output decreased in China, tightening global supply.
- Demand for automotive lubricants and electronics bolstered Molybdenum Disulfide consumption.
