US FeV consumption steady in first quarter

US consumption of vanadium alloys was unchanged in the first quarter from a year earlier amid steady demand for ferro-vanadium and vanadium-aluminum alloys.

The US consumed 864 metric tons (t) by content of vanadium alloys in the first quarter, flat from a year earlier, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Consumption of ferro-vanadium fell to 664t, down from 665t a year earlier. Vanadium-aluminum alloy consumption was steady at 199t.

Aggregate stocks of vanadium alloys held by consumers followed consumption, dropping to 162t from 163t at the end of March from the prior year period.

Steel production accounted for 43pc of vanadium consumption during the quarter, flat from a year earlier.

The US imported 592t of ferro-vanadium by content in the quarter, down from 1,390t a year earlier. US imports of vanadium pentoxide increased by 39pc to 862t from a year prior.

US exports of ferro-vanadium climbed by 65pc to 102t by content, while exports of pentoxide rose to 123t compared with 12t in the prior year period.