Zirconium
About Zirconium
Zirconium is a refractory metal prized for its exceptional corrosion resistance and low neutron absorption cross-section, making it the material of choice for nuclear fuel rod cladding. Zircon sand is widely used in ceramics, foundry casting, and refractory applications. Australia and South Africa are the leading producers of zircon mineral sands from heavy mineral sand deposits.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- Zr
- Atomic Number
- 40
- Category
- Refractory Metal
- Criticality Level
- High
- Supply Risk
- Medium
- Top Producer
- Australia
- USGS Critical List
- Listed
- EU CRM List
- Listed
Explore Zirconium In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Zirconium value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Zirconium across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Zirconium supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Zirconium is extracted, concentrated, and processed into usable forms for downstream industries.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore the refining methods, purity grades, and technical specifications that define Zirconium products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Zirconium.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Zirconium.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Zirconium, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Zirconium pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Zirconium value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Zirconium worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Zirconium.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.