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This table presents detailed data on the reported consumption and stocks of chromium products in the United States, broken down by end use and material type for the years 2022 and 2023 (estimated). It highlights the gross weight and chromium content of various chromium-containing materials used primarily in steel production and other alloy applications. This information is critical for understanding the demand dynamics and inventory levels of chromium, a key industrial metal essential for manufacturing stainless steel, superalloys, and other corrosion-resistant and high-strength materials. Tracking these figures helps stakeholders assess supply chain stability, market trends, and the economic health of industries reliant on chromium.
The data indicate a notable decline in chromium consumption in 2023 compared to 2022, with total gross weight decreasing from 234,000 metric tons to an estimated 211,000 metric tons, a 10-percent drop in chromium content from 138,000 to 124,000 metric tons. Stainless and heat-resisting steel, the largest end-use category, saw a significant reduction of 11,100 metric tons in gross weight, a 10-percent decrease in chromium content to 101,000 metric tons. Similarly, high-carbon ferrochromium consumption fell by 12,000 metric tons (10 percent), reflecting reduced demand in alloy production. Consumer stocks also declined by 7 percent overall, from 9,570 to 9,060 metric tons gross weight, suggesting tighter inventory levels. These trends may reflect shifts in industrial output, supply chain adjustments, or changes in global chromium availability impacting the U.S. market.
| TABLE 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. REPORTED CONSUMPTION AND STOCKS OF CHROMIUM PRODUCTS1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Metric tons) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2023e | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Chromium | Gross | Chromium | Change2 | ||||||||||||||||
| weight | content | weight | content | Quantity | Percent | |||||||||||||||
| Consumption by end use: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Carbon steel | 3580 | 2270 | 3280 | 1960 | -313 | -14 | ||||||||||||||
| High-strength low-alloy steel | 1110 | 711 | 1010 | 650 | -61 | -9 | ||||||||||||||
| Stainless and heat-resisting steel | 195000 | 112000 | 175000 | 101000 | -11100 | -10 | ||||||||||||||
| Fully alloy steel | 8180 | 5060 | 7330 | 4590 | -466 | -9 | ||||||||||||||
| Unspecified steel3 | 14000 | 7950 | 12500 | 7450 | -503 | -6 | ||||||||||||||
| Superalloys | 6220 | 5060 | 5570 | 4460 | -597 | -12 | ||||||||||||||
| Other alloys and uses4 | 6360 | 4130 | 5930 | 3680 | -448 | -11 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 234000 | 138000 | 211000 | 124000 | -13500 | -10 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumption by material: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Low-carbon ferrochromium | 18100 | 12600 | 16300 | 11400 | -1210 | -10 | ||||||||||||||
| High-carbon ferrochromium | 206000 | 118000 | 185000 | 106000 | -12000 | -10 | ||||||||||||||
| Ferrochromium silicon | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| Chromium metal | 4450 | 4140 | 4000 | 3710 | -430 | -10 | ||||||||||||||
| Chromium-aluminum alloy | 415 | 300 | 375 | 231 | -69 | -23 | ||||||||||||||
| Other chromium materials | 5670 | 3000 | 5380 | 2840 | -165 | -6 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 234000 | 138000 | 211000 | 124000 | -13900 | -10 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer stocks: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Low-carbon ferrochromium | 1030 | 715 | 930 | 640 | -75 | -10 | ||||||||||||||
| High-carbon ferrochromium | 3860 | 2210 | 3500 | 2000 | -208 | -9 | ||||||||||||||
| Ferrochromium silicon | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| Chromium metal | 273 | 254 | 250 | 230 | -24 | -9 | ||||||||||||||
| Chromium-aluminum alloy | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| Other chromium materials | 4400 | 1900 | 4380 | 1870 | -30 | -2 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 9570 | 5080 | 9060 | 4740 | -338 | -7 | ||||||||||||||
eEstimated.
1Table includes data available through August 22, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Change based on chromium content of unrounded data of current year compared with that in the previous year.
3Includes electrical, tool, and unspecified steel end uses.
4Includes cast irons, welding and alloy hard-facing rods and materials, wear- and corrosion-resistant alloys, and aluminum, copper, magnetic, nickel, and other alloys.
5Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in “Other chromium materials.”
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Chromium statistics | Mineral commodity prices