WHAT IS IT?
Manganese (Mn) is a hard, brittle, greyish-white metal. It is not found in pure form in nature — extracted from manganese ore (primarily pyrolusite, MnO₂). It is the fourth most used metal globally and an essential alloying element in steel production.
FORMS TRADED
Manganese Ore: 35–52% Mn content. Primarily used in ferroalloy production.
Ferromanganese (FeMn): ~75% Mn. Deoxidiser and desulphuriser in steelmaking. High carbon (HC), medium carbon (MC), low carbon (LC) grades.
Silicomanganese (SiMn): ~65% Mn + 17% Si. Most widely used manganese alloy in steel. More economical than pure FeMn.
EMM (Electrolytic Manganese Metal): 99.7%+ Mn. High purity for battery and specialty applications.
Manganese Sulphate: Battery-grade precursor for NMC cathodes.
KEY USES
Steel alloy (primary use ~90%): Every tonne of steel contains ~6–8kg of manganese. Improves strength, hardness, and wear resistance. Essential — cannot be replaced.
EV Battery cathodes (growing fast): NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) and LMFP (lithium manganese iron phosphate) cathodes
Aluminium alloys
Dry cell batteries (MnO₂ cathode in alkaline batteries)
Plant micronutrient fertilizer
TRADE CORRIDORS
Major ore producers: South Africa (world's largest — Kalahari deposits), Gabon, Australia, DRC, Ukraine
Major ferroalloy producers: China, South Africa, India
Major buyers: China (dominant steel and battery consumer), Europe, Japan, South Korea
Tetra relevance: South Africa and Gabon exports to China and South Korea.
PRICING BASIS
Manganese ore: CRU and Fastmarkets assessments (44% Mn CIF China is benchmark).
Ferromanganese and SiMn: Regional spot markets — no formal exchange.
EMM: Fastmarkets assessment.
SPECIFICATIONS (EMM)
Mn: min 99.7%
C: max 0.03%
S: max 0.05%
Fe: max 0.05%
Se: max 0.003%