17 September 2026
The 29th International Manganese Industry & Manganese‑New‑Energy Development Conference, hosted by Ferroalloy Online, opened in Chongqing from 15 to 17 September. During the event, a closed‑door roundtable brought together senior executives from across the global ferroalloy sector. Participants held in‑depth discussions on key challenges facing the silicomanganese segment, including overcapacity, softening end‑user demand, elevated operating costs and mounting financial pressure on producers, while exploring potential pathways for the industry’s future development.
Yuan Zhilun, Chairman of Bosai Group, delivered key observations at the meeting. He noted that the manganese‑alloy sector is currently grappling with substantial overcapacity, whereby industry profit margins no longer justify the scale of capital investment deployed across the supply chain.
On the demand side, adjustments in the real‑estate and large‑scale infrastructure sectors, compounded by demographic shifts, are set to weigh persistently on steel and ferroalloy consumption, limiting prospects for demand growth. On the cost side, higher oil prices have lifted operating expenses for overseas mines and ocean freight. Sustained elevated prices for manganese ore and coke have further intensified cost headwinds for ferroalloy manufacturers.
Against a backdrop of pronounced supply‑demand imbalances and subdued steel consumption, Mr Yuan emphasised that the industry should move away from fragmented, individual‑company strategies. Market participants must exercise discipline regarding new‑project investment to prevent ill‑advised capacity expansion from exacerbating internal competition. Greater emphasis should be placed on industry self‑regulation and re‑balancing supply and demand. Co‑ordinated production curtailment and restraint on new capacity additions were highlighted as critical measures to help the sector navigate the downturn. In parallel, industry stakeholders should advocate for the removal of export duties on silicomanganese, opening new overseas market outlets for surplus domestic capacity.
Roundtable participants agreed that the silicomanganese market remains trapped in a fragile supply‑demand balance. Persistently high manganese‑ore and coke prices provide strong cost support, significantly squeezing producer profit margins. Parallel supply pressures are also building within the high‑carbon ferrochrome segment. Against this backdrop, several producers are exploring strategic shifts into niche and downstream‑processed products, including medium‑low‑carbon ferromanganese and refined silicomanganese.
Attending companies reached a shared consensus that the ferroalloy industry needs to gradually shift its strategic focus from output‑driven capacity expansion toward cost optimisation, operational efficiency gains, industry self‑governance and product upgrading. Through disciplined production management, prudent new‑capacity investment, expanded export market access and continued technological innovation, industry participants can collectively advance the healthy and sustainable development of the global ferroalloy sector.
News Source: FerroAlloyNet