Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Antimony

Antimony (Sb) is a high-criticality specialty metal with a diverse range of industrial and technological applications. As global demand for advanced materials intensifies, understanding where and how Antimony is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Antimony span multiple sectors, each contributing to its classification as a critical material. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Flame retardants — Antimony plays a vital role in flame retardants, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Lead-acid batteries — Antimony plays a vital role in lead-acid batteries, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Ammunition and defense — Antimony plays a vital role in ammunition and defense, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Semiconductors — Antimony plays a vital role in semiconductors, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Plastics stabilizers — Antimony plays a vital role in plastics stabilizers, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Sector Breakdown

The largest consuming sector for Antimony is flame retardants, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is lead-acid batteries, which has shown strong growth in recent years driven by technology adoption and regulatory requirements. Emerging applications across clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing are expected to expand the demand profile for Antimony in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of high and a supply risk rating of high, the demand trajectory for Antimony is closely monitored by governments and industry analysts. Its inclusion on the USGS critical minerals list underscores the strategic importance of securing stable supply for domestic industries. The European Union has similarly recognized its importance through inclusion on the EU Critical Raw Materials list. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization programs is expected to place additional pressure on existing supply chains.