Cobalt Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The cobalt market is projected to experience growth over the forecast period, driven by its extensive use in rechargeable batteries and high-speed cutting tools. Despite challenges posed by the intensive refining process and disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is recovering as economic activities resume in key sectors such as automotive, electronics, and aerospace. The commercialization of environmentally friendly recycled cobalt and the increasing demand for renewable energy sources are expected to create new opportunities, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, which is anticipated to lead the market.

Market Size of Cobalt Industry

Cobalt Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Market Volume (2024) 220.14 kilotons
Market Volume (2029) 338.71 kilotons
CAGR (2024 - 2029) > 3.00 %
Fastest Growing Market Asia-Pacific
Largest Market Asia-Pacific
Market Concentration High

Major Players

Cobalt Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Cobalt Market Analysis

The Cobalt Market size is estimated at 100 Million tons in 2024, and is expected to reach 150 Million tons by 2029, growing at a CAGR of greater than 3% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the cobalt market. It disrupted cobalt mining, processing, and transportation activities, affecting the availability of cobalt raw materials and intermediate products. However, as lockdowns were lifted, economic activities gradually resumed across industries, including automotive, electronics, and aerospace, which are significant consumers of cobalt-based products. The market recovery was driven by increased demand for goods, which led to a rise in cobalt products.

  • The extensive use of cobalt in rechargeable batteries and the rising usage in the production of high-speed cutting tools are driving the cobalt market.
  • However, the intensive refining process required to extract it from ore deposits is likely to hinder the growth of the cobalt market.
  • In addition, opportunities for the cobalt market are expected to be created in the next few years due to the commercialization of environmentally friendly recycled cobalt and the growing demand for renewable energy sources.
  • The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the cobalt market in the forecast period.

Cobalt Industry Segmentation

The chemical symbol of cobalt is Co, and the atomic number is 27. It is a hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal that belongs to the transition metal group in the periodic table. Cobalt is commonly found in the Earth's crust in mineral ores such as cobaltite, erythrite, and smaltite, often associated with other metals such as nickel, copper, and arsenic.

The cobalt market is segmented by form, product type, application, and geography. By form, the market is segmented into chemical compounds, metals, and purchased scrap. By application, the market is segmented into batteries, alloys, catalysts, tool materials, magnets, ceramics, pigments, and other applications (medical devices). The report also covers the market size and forecasts for the cobalt market in 11 countries across major regions. For each segment, market sizing and forecasts were made based on volume (tons).

Form
Chemical Compound
Metal
Purchased Scrap
Application
Batteries
Alloys
Catalysts
Tool Materials
Magnets
Ceramics and Pigments
Other Applications
Geography
Production Analysis
Australia
Canada
China
Congo
Cuba
India
Indonesia
Madagascar
Morocco
Papua New Guinea
Philipppines
Russia
United States
Rest of the World
Consumption Analysis
Asia-Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Rest of Asia-Pacific
North America
United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
United Kingdom
Italy
France
Rest of Europe
Rest of the World
South America
Middle East and Africa
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Cobalt Market Size Summary

The cobalt market is poised for significant growth over the forecast period, driven by its critical role in various high-demand industries. The recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been bolstered by the resumption of economic activities in sectors such as automotive, electronics, and aerospace, which are major consumers of cobalt-based products. The increasing adoption of electric vehicles, fueled by environmental regulations and consumer preferences for sustainable transportation, has notably heightened the demand for cobalt, particularly in lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, the proliferation of consumer electronics, coupled with the trend towards digitalization and connectivity, has further propelled the demand for cobalt. However, the market faces challenges due to the intensive refining processes required to extract cobalt from ore deposits, which could potentially hinder growth.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the cobalt market, supported by its leading position in global battery production and consumer electronics. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are at the forefront, with substantial investments in battery manufacturing and technology innovation. The region's commitment to reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation fuels is anticipated to drive further demand for cobalt in electric vehicle batteries. The growing electronics market in Asia-Pacific, driven by a large population and increasing disposable incomes, also contributes to the rising demand for cobalt. As the market continues to expand, key players such as Glencore, Vale, and Eurasian Resources Group maintain significant influence, with strategic agreements and investments shaping the industry's landscape.

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Cobalt Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 1.1 Drivers

      1. 1.1.1 Extensive Usage in the Manufacturing of Rechargeable Batteries

      2. 1.1.2 Rising Usage in the Production of High Speed Cutting Tools

    2. 1.2 Restraints

      1. 1.2.1 Intensive Refining Process Required to Extract From Ore Deposits

      2. 1.2.2 Other Restraints

    3. 1.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis

    4. 1.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      2. 1.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

      3. 1.4.3 Threat of New Entrants

      4. 1.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services

      5. 1.4.5 Degree of Competition

    5. 1.5 Price Trends

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size in Volume)

    1. 2.1 Form

      1. 2.1.1 Chemical Compound

      2. 2.1.2 Metal

      3. 2.1.3 Purchased Scrap

    2. 2.2 Application

      1. 2.2.1 Batteries

      2. 2.2.2 Alloys

      3. 2.2.3 Catalysts

      4. 2.2.4 Tool Materials

      5. 2.2.5 Magnets

      6. 2.2.6 Ceramics and Pigments

      7. 2.2.7 Other Applications

    3. 2.3 Geography

      1. 2.3.1 Production Analysis

        1. 2.3.1.1 Australia

        2. 2.3.1.2 Canada

        3. 2.3.1.3 China

        4. 2.3.1.4 Congo

        5. 2.3.1.5 Cuba

        6. 2.3.1.6 India

        7. 2.3.1.7 Indonesia

        8. 2.3.1.8 Madagascar

        9. 2.3.1.9 Morocco

        10. 2.3.1.10 Papua New Guinea

        11. 2.3.1.11 Philipppines

        12. 2.3.1.12 Russia

        13. 2.3.1.13 United States

        14. 2.3.1.14 Rest of the World

      2. 2.3.2 Consumption Analysis

        1. 2.3.2.1 Asia-Pacific

          1. 2.3.2.1.1 China

          2. 2.3.2.1.2 India

          3. 2.3.2.1.3 Japan

          4. 2.3.2.1.4 South Korea

          5. 2.3.2.1.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific

        2. 2.3.2.2 North America

          1. 2.3.2.2.1 United States

          2. 2.3.2.2.2 Canada

          3. 2.3.2.2.3 Mexico

        3. 2.3.2.3 Europe

          1. 2.3.2.3.1 Germany

          2. 2.3.2.3.2 United Kingdom

          3. 2.3.2.3.3 Italy

          4. 2.3.2.3.4 France

          5. 2.3.2.3.5 Rest of Europe

        4. 2.3.2.4 Rest of the World

          1. 2.3.2.4.1 South America

          2. 2.3.2.4.2 Middle East and Africa

Cobalt Market Size FAQs

The Cobalt Market size is expected to reach 220.14 kilotons in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of greater than 3% to reach 338.71 kilotons by 2029.

In 2024, the Cobalt Market size is expected to reach 220.14 kilotons.

Cobalt Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)