Beryllium (Be): Uses, Supply Chain and Market

Beryllium is mined in the United States as bertrandite ore and converted into hydroxide, metal, oxide and beryllium-copper alloys. In 2025 the United States produced an estimated 230 t, 53% of world mine production (USGS world total: 430 t), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The United States was a net exporter of beryllium in 2025. Beryllium is on the US, EU and Australian critical minerals lists.

Which countries produce beryllium?

What is beryllium used for?

USGS gives shares by sales revenue, with 11% in other applications. Alloy strip and bulk products are the most common processed forms, and most unalloyed beryllium metal and composite products are used in defense and scientific applications.

• Consumer electronics: 29% of US beryllium product sales
• Aerospace and defense: 24%
• Industrial components: 17%
• Automotive electronics: 9%
• Energy applications: 8%
• Semiconductor applications: 2%

How much does beryllium cost?

Is beryllium a critical mineral?

Beryllium is on the US, EU and Australian critical minerals lists. Each government builds its list with its own method, so a mineral can be critical in one place and not in another.

What are the substitutes for beryllium?

Can beryllium be recycled?

Beryllium is recovered from new scrap and old scrap. USGS does not have detailed data but says recycling may account for as much as 20% to 25% of total consumption. The leading US producer recovers about 40% of the beryllium content of its new and old alloy scrap.

What are the supply risks and recent events for beryllium?

• 2025. US apparent consumption rose 2% as estimated exports fell 43% and imports fell 34%.
• 2010. Under the Defense Production Act, Title III, a public-private partnership with the leading US producer reestablished domestic production of beryllium metal. The US Department of War supports domestic beryllium for critical defense needs.

US import sources, 2021 to 2024. Kazakhstan, 31%; Latvia, 25%; Japan, 19%; Germany, 5%; and other, 20%. (USGS)

Resources. World identified resources of beryllium are estimated at more than 100,000 tons, about 60% of them in the United States. Proven and probable bertrandite reserves in Utah total about 19,000 tons of beryllium content; world reserves were not available.

Which companies produce or process beryllium?

1 company is profiled, including Materion. Full beryllium companies page.

Frequently asked questions

What is beryllium used for?

Beryllium is used in consumer electronics, aerospace and defense and industrial components. Consumer electronics: 29% of US beryllium product sales.

Which country produces the most beryllium?

The United States produces the most beryllium: an estimated 230 t, or 53% of the world total, in 2025, according to the USGS mine production figures.

Is beryllium a critical mineral?

Yes. Beryllium is on the US, EU and Australian critical minerals lists. Beryllium was already on the 2022 US list and stays on the final 2025 list of 60 minerals. The United States was a net exporter of beryllium in 2025.

How much does beryllium cost?

USGS reports the average 2025 price of beryllium at $1,600/kg (beryllium-copper master alloy, annual average unit value; +7% on 2024).

Sources

Read on October 13, 2026. Figures on this page come from these documents; where a number is an estimate, the source says so.

1. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Beryllium. Production, reserves, uses, substitutes, recycling and events
2. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 7 and Figures 10A and 10B). Net import reliance, leading producer and price changes for critical minerals
3. Federal Register: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
4. EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2024/1252
5. Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Australia’s Critical Minerals List and Strategic Materials List
6. Government of Canada: Canada’s critical minerals
7. Materion, Form 10-K for 2025 (filed 12 February 2026)