The global beryllium market is expected to reach USD 80.7 million by 2025. Beryllium is a silver-gray, lightweight, relatively soft metal that is strong but brittle. Beryllium has the highest melting point of the light metals. It has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, resists attack by concentrated nitric acid, and is non-magnetic.

In the production of beryllium copper, beryllium is mainly used as an alloying agent for spot welding electrical contacts, electrodes and springs. Due to its low atomic number, it is highly permeable to X-rays. Beryllium is present in certain minerals; the most important include bertrandite, chrysoberyl, beryl, phenacite, and others.

Factors driving the growth of the beryllium industry include high demand for beryllium in defense and aerospace sectors, high thermal stability, high specific heat, and widespread use in alloys. On the other hand, several factors may hinder the growth of the market, including increasing environmental concerns, inhalation of beryllium particles that may lead to potential health risks of lung diseases, and chronic beryllium disease. With increasing global scope, product types, and applications, the beryllium market is expected to grow at a considerable CAGR over the forecast period.

Markets can be explored by product, application, end user, and geography. The beryllium industry can be divided into military and aerospace grades, optical grades, and nuclear grades according to products. The “Military and Aerospace Grade” segment led the market in 2016 and is expected to maintain its dominance through 2025 due to rising defense-related spending, especially in countries such as the United States, India, and China.

The market can be explored by applications such as nuclear and energy research, military and aerospace, imaging technology, and X-ray applications. The “Aerospace and Defense” segment led the beryllium market in 2016 and is expected to maintain its dominance through 2025 due to beryllium’s high strength and lightweight properties.

End users can explore markets such as electrical equipment and consumer appliances, automotive electronics, aerospace and defense, telecom infrastructure/computing, industrial components, and more. The “Industrial Components” segment led the beryllium industry in 2016 and is expected to maintain its dominance through 2025 due to the increasing use of alternatives in the manufacture of industrial components.

North America accounted for the major share of the beryllium market in 2016 and will continue to lead over the forecast period. Factors attributable to the growth include high demand from the consumer electronics, defense and industrial sectors. On the other hand, Asia Pacific and Europe are expected to grow at a significant growth rate and will contribute to the market.

Some of the key players driving the growth of the beryllium industry include Beryllia Inc., Changhong Group, Advanced Industries International, Applied Materials, Belmont Metals, Esmeralda de Conquista Ltda, IBC Advanced Alloys Corp., Grizzly Mining Ltd., NGK Metals Corp., Ulba Metallurgical Plant Jsc, Materion Corp., Ningxia Dongfang Tantalum Industry Co., Ltd., TROPAG Oscar H. Ritter Nachf GmbH and Zhuzhou Zhongke Industry. Leading companies are forming partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures to foster inorganic growth in the industry.