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This table presents detailed data on the reported consumption of bulk ferroalloys in the United States, categorized by their end use across various steel types and other applications. Ferroalloys such as ferrochromium (FeCr), ferromanganese (FeMn), silicomanganese (SiMn), and ferrosilicon (FeSi) are critical additives in steelmaking and foundry industries, enhancing properties like strength, corrosion resistance, and durability. Tracking consumption by end use provides valuable insights into industrial demand patterns, helping stakeholders understand market dynamics, forecast supply needs, and guide economic planning within the metals and manufacturing sectors.
Analysis of the data reveals notable shifts between 2021 and 2022. Total consumption of ferrochromium decreased significantly from 331,000 metric tons to 234,000 metric tons, driven largely by reductions in stainless and heat-resisting steel use, which fell from 270,000 to 195,000 metric tons. Conversely, ferromanganese consumption remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 335,000 to 339,000 metric tons, though its distribution shifted markedly toward carbon and high-strength low-alloy steels, which surged from negligible levels to 243,000 metric tons. Silicomanganese consumption held steady around 234,000 metric tons, while ferrosilicon usage saw a substantial rise from 154,000 to 223,000 metric tons, indicating growing demand in miscellaneous and unspecified applications. Consumer stocks at year-end also shifted, with ferromanganese stocks increasing from 39,600 to 50,100 metric tons, suggesting inventory adjustments in response to market conditions. These trends highlight evolving industrial priorities and the dynamic nature of ferroalloy consumption in the U.S. economy.
| TABLE 3 | |||||||||
| REPORTED U.S. CONSUMPTION OF BULK FERROALLOYS BY END USE1, 2 | |||||||||
| (Metric tons, gross weight) | |||||||||
| End use | FeCr | FeMn | SiMn | FeSi | |||||
| 2021: | |||||||||
| Steel: | |||||||||
| Carbon and high-strength low-alloy | 5830 | (3) | (3) | W | |||||
| Stainless and heat-resisting | 270000 | 9730 | 15400 | W | |||||
| Unspecified and other steels | 42500 | 318000 | 219000 | W | |||||
| Total steel | 319000 | 328000 | 234000 | 104631 | 5 | ||||
| Alloys and superalloys | 6460 | (4) | -- | (4) | |||||
| Cast irons | (4) | (4) | 139 | (4) | |||||
| Miscellaneous and unspecified | 6400 | 7230 | 2750 | 68500 | |||||
| Grand total | 331000 | 335000 | 237000 | 154000 | 5 | ||||
| Consumer stocks, December 31 | 9800 | 39600 | 6 | 34300 | 6 | 15200 | |||
| 2022: | |||||||||
| Steel: | |||||||||
| Carbon and high-strength low-alloy | 4700 | 243000 | 181000 | W | |||||
| Stainless and heat-resisting | 195000 | 8700 | 15100 | W | |||||
| Unspecified and other steels | 22100 | 80800 | 35000 | W | |||||
| Total steel | 222000 | 332000 | 231000 | 109000 | 5 | ||||
| Alloys and superalloys | 6220 | (4) | -- | (4) | |||||
| Cast irons | (4) | 6200 | (3) | (4) | |||||
| Miscellaneous and unspecified | 6360 | 883 | 3000 | 66352 | |||||
| Grand total | 234000 | 339000 | 234000 | 223000 | |||||
| Consumer stocks, December 31 | 9570 | 50100 | 6 | 25900 | 6 | 15800 | |||
W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through July 9, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Abbreviations and the forms of material included are as follows: FeCr, ferrochromium, including chromium metal; FeMn, ferromanganese; SiMn, silicomanganese; and FeSi, ferrosilicon and miscellaneous silicon alloys.
3Included in ‟Steel: Unspecified and other steels” to avoid disclosing proprietary data.
4Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included with "Miscellaneous and unspecified.
5Excludes 50% FeSi.
6Consumer and producer stocks.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Ferroalloys statistics | Mineral commodity prices