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.
