Silico Manganese Prices Explained

The rising demand for steel products and the anticipated growth in the construction and infrastructure industries further define silico manganese prices. Additionally, increased investments in industries such as manufacturing machinery and tools will drive the need for cast iron.

On the supply side, suspending high-grade manganese ore exports from Australia’s South32 (until the 1st quarter of 2025) will squeeze the raw material supply, leading to elevated silico manganese prices.

The U.S. steel sector invested almost $16 billion to modernize, decarbonize, and electrify its manufacturing facilities. Thus, this is a positive note on silico manganese prices as this commodity is useful in modification, deoxidation, refinement, and control over nonmetallic impurities.

Why are silico manganese prices fluctuating?

1. Upstream Mineral Resource Supply

The availability of upstream mineral resources, particularly manganese ore has a direct impact on the price of silico manganese. Since silico manganese production costs are largely derived from manganese ore, variations in the ore’s supply cause comparable changes in the alloy’s price.

Furthermore, the recent rapid growth of the iron and steel sector raised demand for silico manganese alloys, which in turn boosted demand for manganese ore. Thus, affecting the price of silico manganese globally.

2. Downstream Steel Industry Demand

Silico manganese prices directly follow the condition of the iron and steel industries, their immediate downstream market. For instance, the amount of crude steel produced worldwide before the pandemic was 1.878 billion tons, a 0.5% increase over the previous year.

However, due to the effects of the new wave of COVID-19, the growth rate in crude steel production was slower than in preceding years, contributing to a downturn in the ferroalloy market and influencing the price of silico manganese to some extent. Additionally, the Chinese property crisis contributes to the reduced demand for this commodity, affecting its prices.

3. Electricity Costs

Ferroalloy production is high-energy intensive, contributing a substantial portion of its costs. Thus, silico manganese is anticipated to be more heavily impacted by electricity costs as the world’s energy consumption rises and shortages become more apparent.

Moreover, producers of ferroalloys frequently increase output during the rainy season to compensate for the effects of shortage during the dry season, when resources are abundant and electricity costs are lower.

4. Environmental Regulations

Strict compliance with environmental standards influences silico manganese production methods and related costs. To limit environmental damage and protect natural resources, this involves separating precious manganese from the slag and using the remaining material for building, road rehabilitation, or agricultural use.

Furthermore, compliance with these regulations requires more capital expenditures for infrastructure and technology, ultimately affecting silico manganese production costs.

Which variables impact the price of silico manganese?

• Upstream Mineral Resource Supply
• Downstream Steel Industry Demand 
• Electricity Costs
• Environmental Regulations
• Trade Policies and Tariffs
• Global Events

Where does silico manganese come from?

Silico manganese is a steel industry alloy made by processing manganese ore, manganese slag, coke, and quartz flux at high temperatures. Smelting manganese ore, quartz, and iron ore in a furnace is the method used to obtain silico manganese. The primary steps in the extraction of silico manganese are as follows:

1. Raw Material Preparation – Manganese deposits are used to extract manganese ore, which is typically found as manganese dioxide or manganese carbonate. Also, quartz is the main source of silica and is essential to the production process. Moreover, the iron component required for the silico manganese alloy’s production is also contributed by iron ore.

2. Smelting Process – To create the required composition of the silico manganese alloy, raw materials like manganese ore, quartz, and iron ore are carefully measured and mixed in precise amounts. Next, the combined raw materials are put into an electric furnace with a submerged arc, a popular furnace type used to produce different ferroalloys, including silico manganese.

3. Reduction and Alloy Formation – Manganese and carbon monoxide are produced when carbon in the manganese ore is reduced by the furnace’s extreme heat. Additionally, silicon is simultaneously produced by the reduction of quartz. Then, the silicon manganese is produced as a result of the silicon’s reaction with iron or iron ore within the charge. This alloy transforms into a liquid and gathers near the furnace’s bottom.

4. Casting and Solidification – According to its intended use, the liquid silico manganese alloy is poured or discharged from the furnace and molded into granules or ingots. To achieve the required shape, the alloy is cooled and solidified. For the end product to have particular qualities, controlled cooling is used during this procedure.

5. Crushing and Sizing – To achieve certain requirements for particle size distribution, the solidified silico manganese may go through crushing and sizing procedures, depending on how the alloy will be used.

What are the uses of silico manganese?

Silico manganese is extensively used in the manufacturing process to improve the strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance of steel. Additionally, it works to improve the mechanical qualities of steel by desulfurizing and deoxidizing it.

Furthermore, its high strength makes it well-suited for applications in the construction of buildings, railroad tracks, and machinery parts. These are the lists of its primary applications:

1. Construction and Infrastructure – Silico manganese-alloyed steel finds application in the construction and infrastructure sectors for manufacturing structural elements like beams, posts, and reinforcement bars as it adds durability and strength to these structures.

2. Automotive Industry – It contributes to the automotive industry by being incorporated into alloyed steel used for producing various components. Also, the alloy’s properties play a key role in the manufacturing of high-strength and wear-resistant automotive parts.

3. Machinery and Equipment – Steel with silico manganese alloy is used to make machinery and equipment, especially in applications where strong and long-lasting materials are necessary.

4. Foundry Industry – It is used as an inoculant to enhance iron’s casting qualities, helping to regulate the composition and characteristics of cast iron.

5. Energy Sector – It is employed in the energy sector for the production of steel used in power generation equipment as its properties are suitable for applications in power plants and other energy infrastructure.

6. Steel Production – It is widely used as a deoxidizing agent in the steelmaking process, facilitating the removal of oxygen from molten steel and thereby improving its quality. Overall, these major industries prove the flexibility of silico manganese in a diverse array of applications.

What is the future price of silico manganese?

Silico manganese demand is related to the global steel industry’s growth and as electric car adoption increases and construction sector investments rise, it is anticipated that its consumption will increase.

Also, the market is expected to increase because of the growing demand for premium steel, the expansion of the automotive and construction sectors, and the continuous infrastructure development projects that are taking place across the globe.

Moreover, the emerging use of electric arc furnaces (EAF) in steel production drives higher demand for silico manganese as a key alloying manufacturing agent.

On the supply side, South32’s suspension of its premium-grade manganese ore exports will contribute to bottlenecks in the supply chain. Additionally, the continuous inquiries from South Korea and Japan will further squeeze existing inventory, leading to fluctuating prices.

Therefore, the silico manganese price will be $1,154.08 per ton in 2028 and its market is expected to reach $47.33 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.5%.