Antimony Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Type (Trioxides, Alloys, Others), By Application (Flame Retardants, Lead Acid Batteries, Chemicals, Ceramics & Glass, Others), and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Antimony Market size was valued at US$ 2,278.2 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 3,325.1 million by 2031, growing at a significant CAGR of 5.6% from 2025-2031. Moreover, the U.S. Antimony Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period. The market refers to the global trade and consumption of antimony, a lustrous gray metalloid primarily used in flame retardants, lead-acid batteries, alloys, and semiconductors. Extracted mainly from stibnite ore, antimony is a strategic metal due to its critical role in manufacturing and defense applications. It exists in both metallic and compound forms, with antimony trioxide being the most commercially significant derivative. Its flame-retardant properties make it valuable in plastics, textiles, and electronic components. Owing to its strategic importance, antimony is classified as a critical mineral in several regions, including the United States and the European Union.

Increased demand from industries such as electronics, automotive, and construction is expected to drive the market. With growing emphasis on fire safety regulations and rising production of lead-acid batteries for automotive and backup power applications, antimony consumption is expected to rise steadily. China remains the dominant producer and consumer, accounting for a significant share of global supply, while other countries are looking to diversify sources to reduce dependency. Environmental concerns and regulatory pressures regarding antimony’s toxicity may pose challenges, but innovations in recycling and alternative sourcing are gradually gaining traction.

Facts & Figures

• In 2022, global antimony production was approximately 110,000 metric tons. China led with 54.5% of this output, followed by Russia at 18.2% and Tajikistan at 15.5%.
• In August 2024, antimony prices surged to over $22,000 per metric ton following China's announcement of export restrictions set to begin on September 15. Analysts projected that prices could escalate to $30,000 per metric ton as buyers sought to secure supplies amid tightening market conditions.
• The world's antimony reserves are estimated to exceed 1.8 million metric tons. Significant reserves are found in countries like China (350,000 tons), Russia (350,000 tons), Bolivia (310,000 tons), and Tajikistan (260,000 tons), highlighting the geographical concentration of this critical mineral.

Key Developments:

• In August 2024, China's Ministry of Commerce declared that, effective September 15, 2024, exports of antimony and related products would require government-issued licenses. This move, aimed at safeguarding national security and fulfilling non-proliferation obligations, has significant implications for global supply chains, as China accounts for nearly half of the world's antimony production.
• In 2024, Minmetals Group's Antimony Research Branch successfully developed and launched 4N and 5N high-purity antimony metals. These products cater to the growing demand in high-tech applications, including semiconductors and photovoltaic cells, marking a significant step in product diversification and meeting global quality standards.
• In 2024, Hunan Gold reported a 6% year-on-year increase in antimony production for the first half of 2024, totaling 15,147 tonnes. This includes significant outputs of antimony metal, oxides, and sodium antimonate. The company's efforts reflect a strategic response to rising global demand and supply challenges in the market.
• In August 2024, Campine, a leading European antimony processor, announced the development of its third-generation antimony recycling technology. This innovation aims to increase the company's internal antimony recovery to 50% of its consumption, up from the current 15%. The advancement positions Campine to better navigate global supply constraints, especially in light of China's export restrictions on antimony products.

Antimony Market Segmentation:

Based on the type:

• Trioxides
• Alloys
• Others

The antimony trioxide is expected to remain the largest segment in the international antimony industry. Its sheer usage as a flame-retardant synergist across plastics, textile, and electrical appliances is a key factor explaining its supremacy in the market. As regulatory bodies around the globe increasingly impose rigorous safety standards for industries, the need for firms to incorporate fire-resistant materials within their products gains urgency. Antimony trioxide is most useful when combined with halogenated chemicals, improving their performance by lowering the flammability index and raising the heat resistance.

Its applications as a PET catalyst and glass clarifier also add to the industrial significance. Increased demand for consumer electronics, electrical insulation, and fire-resistant building materials across the world ensures the sustained supremacy of trioxides. Further, growing fire risk awareness in emerging nations is increasing the application of antimony trioxide, cementing its status as the market's top product type.

Based on the application:

• Flame Retardants
• Lead Acid Batteries
• Chemicals
• Ceramics & Glass
• Others

The flame retardants segment is expected to remain the leading application for antimony in the global market. This is largely due to the growing demand for safer, fire-resistant materials across various industries, including construction, electronics, automotive, and textiles. Antimony trioxide, in particular, plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of halogenated flame retardants, which are widely used to improve the fire resistance of materials like plastics, textiles, and electrical components.

As building codes and safety regulations worldwide become more stringent, particularly in developed regions like North America and Europe, the demand for fire-resistant products has surged. This regulatory push for higher safety standards, coupled with growing concerns about fire hazards, makes flame retardants the primary application for antimony. Furthermore, the expansion of industries such as electronics and automotive, which require non-combustible components, continues to drive the dominance of this application, positioning flame retardants as the leading segment in the market.