Niobium

Niobium is a soft, grey metal with excellent resistance to heat and corrosion. It is primarily found in pyrochlore ore, with Brazil, Canada, and Australia being the top producers. Niobium is mainly used in the production of high-strength steel alloys, superconductors, and aerospace components due to its ability to enhance material durability and performance.

Sub-Category	Abbreviation	Core Content Range	Size Range
Ferroniobium	FeNb	Nb 55-100%	0-100 mm
Niobium Metal	Nb Metal	Various	n/a

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 niobium 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 niobium and buyers to discover new suppliers of niobium.

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.

Several institutions provide pricing for niobium:

1. Fastmarkets: Fastmarkets offers journalistic price assessments for ferroniobium delivered. They provide detailed insights into market trends, particularly focusing on the steel industry (Fastmarkets).
2. Argus Media: Argus provides journalistic price assessments for ferroniobium across various markets, including the U.S. and China​ (Argus Media).
3. Shanghai Metals Market (SMM): SMM tracks prices for niobium pentoxide and ferroniobium in China, offering journalistic price updates on these key products used in alloys and steel production​ (Shanghai Metals Market).

Beyond these three examples, other providers may also provide prices.

The top producers of niobium are:

• Brazil – ~85% of global niobium production
• Canada – ~10% of global niobium production

Some of the key producers of niobium include:

• CBMM (Brazil) – ~80% of global niobium production
• Niobec (Canada) – ~<10% of global niobium production
• Anglo American (UK) – ~5%, involved in niobium production through joint ventures.
• China Molybdenum (China) – ~<5%, focusing on niobium and other alloying elements.

Niobium is extracted from pyrochlore ore, typically through open-pit mining. The ore is crushed and processed to separate niobium concentrate, which is then refined into ferroniobium or pure niobium metal through chemical processes. Ferroniobium is the most common form used in steel alloys to increase strength and resistance to corrosion.

Niobium is primarily used in high-strength steel alloys (~75%), where it enhances durability and resistance to extreme temperatures. It is also used in the aerospace industry (~10%) for components in jet engines and rocket nozzles, as well as in superconductors (~8%) for advanced electronics. Ferroniobium and pure niobium are the key materials traded in these sectors.