The primary economic driver for molybdenum recycling stems from its significant price advantage. According to public auction data from China's market in 2025, the starting bid for scrap iron molybdenum catalysts can reach $20,800 per ton. Molybdenum recycling costs are typically about one-third lower than primary ore mining, making it highly economically attractive.
DONGSHENG Precious Metals Recycler does not directly recycle molybdenum. Instead, it typically recovers nickel-molybdenum catalysts incidentally while recycling other precious metal catalysts.
Technology is the core driver of the molybdenum recycling industry. Hydrometallurgy is the current mainstream method, utilizing acidic or alkaline solutions to selectively leach molybdenum and other metal ions, followed by recovery through precipitation or extraction. This process achieves molybdenum recovery rates exceeding 93% with product purity surpassing 99%. This method is better suited for large-scale industrial production and enables the simultaneous recovery of other valuable metals, representing an economical, resource-efficient process.
Cobalt-molybdenum (Co-Mo) and nickel-molybdenum (Ni-Mo) catalysts are extensively used in petroleum refining and chemical industries for critical processes like hydrocracking, hydrotreating, desulfurization, and denitrogenation. When these catalysts become spent, molybdenum recovery becomes a vital pathway to reclaim these valuable metal resources.
Recovering molybdenum from spent catalysts is not only economically viable but also critical for environmental safety. Without proper handling, heavy metals in spent catalysts may leach into soil or water bodies, causing secondary pollution. Efficient molybdenum recovery technologies effectively extract molybdenum from these wastes while minimizing environmental risks.
Experience in European and North American markets demonstrates that companies with robust molybdenum recycling systems gain advantages in stabilizing raw material supply and mitigating price volatility. Global corporations like BASF, Johnson Matthey, and Heraeus have established advanced recycling processes.
The value of molybdenum recycling extends far beyond the catalyst sector.
In the electronics and semiconductor industries, high-purity molybdenum foil is used as sputtering targets, yielding substantial value when recycled. Molybdenum wire (for filaments and wire cutting) and molybdenum powder are also common forms for recovery.
High-temperature manufacturing generates substantial recoverable molybdenum scrap, such as sintering support rods and furnace support components. These wastes contain high molybdenum concentrations (30%-60%), making them “premium feedstock” for recycling. Molybdenum electrodes and stirrers used in glass manufacturing also hold significant molybdenum recovery value.
Additionally, while recovering molybdenum from molybdenum-bearing slag presents greater challenges (due to low molybdenum content, typically only 0.01%-0.05%), new sorting and chemical purification technologies are making it economically viable.
The core value of molybdenum recycling manifests across three dimensions: resource security, economic benefits, and environmental protection.
Resource Security: Molybdenum is an indispensable strategic metal for numerous critical industries. Its primary mineral sources are concentrated, and recycling helps reduce reliance on imports while enhancing resource security.
Economic Benefits: Molybdenum recycling fosters a complete industrial chain. The global molybdenum wire recycling market is projected to exceed $1.2 billion by 2025. Stable waste supplies (such as spent catalysts from chemical giants) and mature technologies make molybdenum recycling a profitable industry.
Environmental Protection: Molybdenum recycling exemplifies a green circular economy. Recycling one ton of molybdenum reduces 15 tons of waste residue accumulation and 3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The EU has mandated a 30% molybdenum recycling rate by 2030, underscoring its critical role in sustainable development.
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