BISMUTH

Bismuth, one of the rarest elements on Earth, is concentrated in base metal ores and is typically extracted as a byproduct of metal refining, particularly lead. In the United States, bismuth was last produced as a byproduct of lead refining in 1997. An estimated 80 t of bismuth contained in alloys were recycled in the United States annually. In 2022, world refinery production of bismuth was estimated to be 20 kt, unchanged from that in 2021 but 4 percent more than production in 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. China was the world’s leading producer of refined bismuth as a byproduct of lead, tin and tungsten ore processing, accounting for 80 percent of the estimated world total, followed by Laos (10 percent) and the Republic of Korea (5 percent). Consumption and end uses In 2022, apparent consumption of bismuth in the United States was estimated to be 2.47 kt, 2.4 times more than that in 2021. More than 60 percent of domestic bismuth consumption was for chemicals used in cosmetic, industrial, laboratory and pharmaceutical applications. It is used in the manufacture of ceramic glazes, crystal glassware and pearlescent pigments, and is included in bismuth salicylate (the active ingredient in over-the-counter stomach remedies) and other compounds used to treat burns, intestinal disorders and stomach ulcers. Most of the remaining domestic bismuth consumption was used in a variety of metallurgical applications including as an additive to enhance metallurgical quality in the foundry industry and as a nontoxic replacement for lead in ballistics, brass, free-machining steels, pipe fittings and fixtures, solders, water meters and weight applications such as fishing weights and sinkers. Bismuth also is used as a triggering mechanism for fire sprinklers and in holding devices for grinding optical lenses, and bismuth-tellurium oxide alloy film paste is used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. Imports and exports The United States was highly reliant on imports of bismuth metal to meet its domestic consumption needs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2022, imports for consumption of bismuth metal, alloys and scrap were 3.09 kt, a 56 percent increase from those in 2021 and the highest annual quantity of bismuth metal imported since 2007. The imported bismuth was principally sourced from China (74 percent), followed by the Republic of Korea (16 percent). The United States exported 0.502 kt of bismuth metal, alloys and waste and scrap in 2022, a 50 percent decrease from those in 2021. The bismuth was principally exported to Canada, Mexico and Vietnam (19 percent each). Prices In 2022, the daily average free market price for 99.99 percent-pure bismuth was $3.90/lb, a 4 percent increase from that in 2021 and the highest annual price since 2018. Globally, excess stocks continued to keep prices low compared with those in 2007 through 2014, when the average annual dealer prices ranged between $7.84/lb and $14.06/lb. Trends and outlook Globally, bismuth is used primarily in industrial sectors, mostly as a metallurgical additive in steel and aluminum alloys. Emerging and growing nations may drive bismuth consumption in buildings and infrastructure if used as a substitute for lead. With more legislation restricting the use of lead throughout the world, bismuth will likely be part of a growing market of lead replacements.

BISMUTH

Authored by:
Amy C. Tolcin

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From sessions to strategy: Revealing long-term and emerging innovation trends in data analytics, intelligent systems and automation

Mining education gets federal boost as industry faces workforce crunch

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To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

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