Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Manganese

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

Key Applications

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

• Steel production (ferromanganese) — Manganese plays a vital role in steel production (ferromanganese), where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Lithium-ion battery cathodes — Manganese plays a vital role in lithium-ion battery cathodes, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Aluminum alloy additive — Manganese plays a vital role in aluminum alloy additive, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Chemical production — Manganese plays a vital role in chemical production, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Dry cell batteries — Manganese plays a vital role in dry cell batteries, 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 Manganese is steel production (ferromanganese), which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is lithium-ion battery cathodes, 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 Manganese in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of high and a supply risk rating of medium, the demand trajectory for Manganese 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.