Salient U.S. Rhenium Statistics

This table presents key quantitative data on the production, consumption, imports, exports, and global output of rhenium in the United States over the period from 2019 through 2023. Rhenium is a critical rare metal used primarily in high-temperature superalloys for jet engines, catalysts, and other advanced industrial applications. Tracking these statistics is essential for understanding the supply-demand dynamics, trade dependencies, and domestic production capacity of this strategically important mineral, which has significant implications for aerospace manufacturing, energy technologies, and national security.

Analysis of the data reveals that U.S. mine production of rhenium content showed a generally upward trend, increasing from 8,360 kilograms in 2019 to 9,410 kilograms in 2023, with a slight dip in 2022. Apparent consumption, however, declined sharply from 52,600 kilograms in 2019 to an estimated 22,500 kilograms in 2023, indicating reduced domestic demand or increased efficiency and substitution. Imports of ammonium perrhenate and rhenium metal also decreased substantially over this period, with ammonium perrhenate imports dropping from 12,800 kilograms of rhenium content in 2019 to 4,890 kilograms in 2023, and rhenium metal imports declining from 31,500 to 10,200 kilograms. Notably, exports of unwrought rhenium and scrap, which were negligible or zero before 2022, rose to 2,010 kilograms by 2023, suggesting growing international trade activity in secondary or recycled materials. Globally, rhenium production fluctuated but remained relatively stable, ending at 62,600 kilograms in 2023, slightly above the 2019 level. These trends reflect shifting market conditions, supply chain adjustments, and possibly evolving industrial uses of rhenium.