Antimony Material File

Applications

Antimony is used in: lead-acid batteries (50%), flame retardants in plastics (33%), and lead alloys (9%) (including in ammunition).

Export restrictions

On 15 August 2024, China announced export control measures relating to numerous antimony-related items, including antimony ore, concentrate, metal, oxide, chemicals and the associated smelting and separation technology. On 3 December 2024, an export ban to the US was added to this.

Price trends

As a result of Chinese export restrictions and falling production in Russia, the price of antimony has risen sharply since June 2024, from around $8,000/t (between 2015 and 2024) to over $40,000/t.

Production and processing

Extraction

Antimony production in 2023, at 83 ktonnes, was more than two times lower than in the period prior to 2013. In 2023, China (48%), Tajikistan (25%), Turkey (7%) and Russia and Myanmar (5%) were the largest producers. Antimony is the main product of mining in 32% of cases, and a by-product of gold mining in 50% of cases.

Exploration

Since 2023, there has been an increase in the number of antimony exploration drillings, particularly in Australia, as well as in Canada and New Zealand.

Reserves

The largest reserves of antimony are found in China (29%), Russia (16%), Bolivia (14%), Kyrgyzstan (12%), Myanmar (8%) and Australia (8%).

Processing

Antimony is mainly processed in China (48%) and the US (14%). Within the EU, France (12%) and Belgium (6%) are active in this sector.

Recycling

The Recycling Input Rate for antimony is estimated at 28%. Recycling from plastics has not yet reached industrial scale.

The Netherlands’ role in trade and use

Dutch imports and exports

The Netherlands has a relatively (>1%) high net import of antimony oxides (HS282580), other processed antimony (HS811090) and unprocessed antimony powders (HS811010).

Origin of Dutch imports

Imports of antimony oxides mainly come from Belgium and France (together 68%). In recent years, imports of antimony powders have shifted from mainly China to Vietnam and Oman.

Applications in The Netherlands

Imports of antimony oxide and antimony powders are most likely related to the major role the Netherlands plays in the production of plastics, where antimony oxide is used as a flame retardant.