Silicon Plants in Xinjiang Hike Prices Further, SMM Reports

Alleima raised tube alloy surcharges in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania from Oct 1. For hot-finished products, 316/316L rose from €5.26/kg (€5,260/t) to €5.33/kg (€5,330/t); High Mo from €5.74/kg (€5,740/t) to €5.81/kg (€5,810/t); SAF 2205 and SAF 2507 increased 2.26% and 1.95%; and 254 SMO rose 0.70%. The hot-finished energy surcharge more than doubled to €0.21/kg (€210/t). SMM analysis: Mo-bearing surcharges broadly rose, but the energy reset means the full increase cannot be attributed to molybdenum.

Global molybdenum production was 167.2 mlb (75,841 tonnes) in Q2 2026, down 3% YoY and 1% QoQ, while usage reached 177.5 mlb (80,513 tonnes), up 8% YoY but down 2% QoQ. The direct comparison leaves an apparent quarterly gap of 10.3 mlb (4,672 tonnes). China produced 79.5 mlb (36,061 tonnes), flat YoY and up 1% QoQ; South American output fell 9% YoY and 4% QoQ to 39.9 mlb (18,098 tonnes). China’s usage rose 10% YoY to 90.2 mlb (40,914 tonnes), while US usage increased 12% to 17.1 mlb (7,756 tonnes). The gap does not account for inventories or trade flows.

In September, the overall domestic supply of silicon‑manganese alloy rose compared with August, with national output moving higher month‑on‑month. Nevertheless, operating rates across producing regions did not expand in lockstep. A pattern took shape featuring output growth in northern producing areas, mixed performance in southern regions, and general moderate output contraction in minor producing zones, further highlighting regional divergence in production.