MANGANESE

What Is Manganese and Where Do I Use It?

Manganese (Mn) is a metallic element essential to modern industry and clean technologies. It is the 12th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, occurring mainly as the mineral pyrolusite (MnO₂). Known for its strength-enhancing and anti-corrosive properties, manganese is a vital component in steelmaking, aluminium alloys, batteries, and numerous chemical applications.
As Europe accelerates its green and digital transitions, manganese has become increasingly strategic—both as a stabiliser in steel and as a critical ingredient in next-generation batteries and renewable technologies.
Around 87% of global manganese demand comes from steel production, where it acts as a deoxidiser and sulphur-fixing agent, improving strength, hardness, and wear resistance. It is indispensable in the manufacture of construction steel, automotive components, domestic appliances, and other industrial products.

Where is Manganese Produced?

Global manganese ore production reached approximately 20 million tonnes per year in recent years. The largest producers are:
- South Africa (≈28%)
- Australia (≈17%)
- Gabon (≈14%)
Within the EU, production remains very limited—small volumes are mined in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania, representing less than 1% of global supply.As a result, Europe is almost entirely import-dependent, with import reliance on manganese ores estimated at around 97% between 2016 and 2020.
Processing capacity is similarly concentrated outside Europe, particularly in China, India, and Norway, leaving the EU dependent on imported processed materials.

Demand, Substitution, and Strategic Role

Manganese has no effective substitute in its primary application in steelmaking. Its unique metallurgical properties cannot be replicated by other elements without compromising steel quality and performance.
The growing electric vehicle and energy storage industries are expected to make manganese even more critical, particularly for high-purity chemical products used in battery cathodes.
At the same time, traditional demand in steelmaking remains strong, ensuring manganese’s dual importance for both industrial stability and technological innovation.

Recycling & Circular Economy

Recycling plays an increasingly important role in ensuring resource efficiency and supply security, yet for manganese, secondary recovery remains limited. Most manganese is recycled indirectly—as part of steel scrap—rather than being recovered as a separate material.
The end-of-life recycling input rate (EoL-RIR) for manganese is estimated at around 9%, with limited direct recovery from batteries and other products due to economic and technical constraints.

Future opportunities include:
- Enhanced collection and separation systems for manganese-containing products, particularly batteries.
- Development of cost-effective recovery processes from slags, residues, and waste streams.
- Support for R&D to improve hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling methods.