Boron

Boron is a metalloid element known for its hardness and high melting point. It appears as a brown or black powder or crystalline solid. Boron is primarily mined from borax ores, with Turkey, the United States, and Russia being the top producers. Boron is used in glassmaking, ceramics, and detergents, playing a key role in industries requiring heat resistance and strength. Boron is also a critical alloying element in steelmaking due to its ability to enhance hardenability, toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.

Sub-Category	Abbreviation	Core Content Range	Size Range
Boron Carbide		Various	n/a
Boron Oxide		Various	n/a
Ferroboron	FeB	B 14-100%	0-80 mm

Please note that the above listed sub-categories including its core content and size ranges are just a snapshot of Metalshub’s currently traded raw materials. We are adding new sub-categories on a monthly basis and would be happy to assess your specific requirements to this category.

Metalshub provides producers and consumers of boron with a software solution to improve the way they buy or sell it. Our software connects over 2,000 companies in a joint trading network. This allows sellers to discover new buyers of boron and buyers to discover new suppliers of boron.

For buyers, Metalshub’s Procurement Solution allows steel mills, foundries, and other consumers to digitalise their procurement process in order to increase sourcing efficiency, ensure compliant buying, and take data-driven decisions. For sellers, Metalshub’s Sales Solution allows miners, traders, and other sellers to digitalise their sales process, manage inventory, and optimise their sales book.

The top boron-producing countries are:

• Turkey – ~45% of global production, home to the largest boron deposits
• United States – ~20%, focusing on borax mining in California
• Russia – ~<15% of global production
• Argentina – ~10%, with significant reserves of boron
• Chile – ~<10% of global production

Some of the key producers of boron include:

• Eti Maden (Turkey) – ~40% of global boron supply, leading the market
• Rio Tinto Borates (USA) – ~20%, a major supplier of boron to global industries
• Borax Argentina (Argentina) – ~10%, with significant boron mining operations
• Russian Beryllium Company – ~<10%, contributing to boron production in Russia
• SQM (Chile) – ~5% of global boron supply

Boron is primarily extracted from borax ores through surface mining. Once mined, boron is refined and processed into various forms, such as boron carbide and boron oxide, for use in industrial applications. Boron carbide, known for its hardness, is often used in high-performance materials, while boron oxide is crucial in glassmaking.

Boron is used in glassmaking (~50%), where it improves thermal resistance. It is also used in ceramics (~20%) and detergents (~15%) for its strengthening and cleaning properties. Boron carbide and boron oxide are critical in high-performance applications, including abrasives and refractory materials. In steelmaking boron is used as an alloying element which enables manufacturers to produce stronger and more durable steels.