US vanadium consumption up in February on FeV

US consumption of vanadium alloys edged up in February compared with a year earlier amid higher ferro-vanadium demand.

The US consumed 289 metric tons (t) by content of vanadium alloys in February, up from 286t a year earlier, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Consumption of ferro-vanadium increased by 1pc to 223t from a year earlier. Vanadium-aluminum alloy consumption was unchanged at 66.4t.

Combined stocks of vanadium alloys held by consumers were unchanged at 171t at the end of February from the prior year period.

Steel production accounted for 123t of vanadium consumption during the month, flat from a year earlier.

The US imported 228t of ferro-vanadium in February, down from 528t from the year earlier. The decline was largely the result of no imports from Russia, which compares to 330t a year earlier. Imports from Austria increased by 27pc to 177t over the same period.

US imports of vanadium pentoxide rose by 17.5pc to 309t, supported by greater volumes from South Africa and Brazil.

US exports of ferro-vanadium declined by 44pc to 19t by content, while exports of pentoxide increased to 46.8t by gross weight from 9.5t the prior year period.