Nuclear-grade zirconium alloys and products are used in the fabrication of fuel assemblies used in the vast majority of current and future nuclear reactor designs around the world. Despite the diminished growth outlook for global nuclear power over the past decade, many aspects of the international nuclear fuel supply chain continue to be of great interest. The supply of nuclear-grade zirconium - from zircon mineral sand through the cladding and components used in finished fuel assemblies - has also not escaped this scrutiny. Therefore, the primary objective of this report is to factually and analytically approach the current and expected future direction of the nuclear-grade zirconium alloy market with the aim of reaching some clear conclusions about how producers of fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors will obtain the zirconium alloys needed to create their finished products.
This updated report offers the latest analysis of the various sectors that make up the nuclear-grade zirconium sponge, alloy, materials, and tubing markets. Using proprietary demand modeling and other unique research results, we identify the latest major trends in this industry by analyzing the global and regional supply and demand balances for nuclear-grade zirconium sponge, alloy, and tubing as well as the supply and demand situation based on reactor fuel types.
What's New in the 2021 Edition?
This 2021 edition of the Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Market report includes the following new and updated elements:
- Enhanced analysis of the latest zirconium minerals market trends, including assessment of the recent effects of trade tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic on the zirconium market and how the future outlook for the market may impact the nuclear zirconium industry
- Increased analysis of the nuclear zirconium alloy production cycle and the technologies deployed in this industry
- Updated supply capacities and production data for all producers in the nuclear-grade zirconium supply chain
- Current nuclear reactor and zirconium demand forecast scenarios through 2035
- Updated supply forecasts with extended outlook through 2035 for each of the nuclear zirconium sponge, alloy, and tubing markets
- Renewed discussion of emerging market trends to provide a broader context to key issues, including trade and government policies affecting the zirconium sector, the evolution of accident tolerant nuclear fuels, and the hafnium market
- Latest nuclear-grade zirconium sponge and alloy market price estimates and future price assessments
- Improved discussion on the design of BWR and PWR fuel assemblies, the zirconium alloy components of which they are constructed, and the fuel fabrication process
What is Included in this Report?
The separate chapters are as follows:
General Zirconium Overview provides a detailed review of the zirconium minerals market, including a discussion of the zirconium mineral occurrence, resource base, and industrial applications, along with the role of zirconium alloy production for the nuclear fuel industry. This discussion helps put the specific nuclear zirconium market analysis presented in subsequent chapters in perspective.
Manufacturing Processes for Nuclear Fuel Components covers the overall “zirconium cycle” to produce the materials and components used in nuclear fuel assemblies.
Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Materials & Product Suppliers offers updated descriptions of each company involved in nuclear-grade zirconium materials and product supply. This includes all firms in the world involved in zirconium sponge and alloy production and processing through tubing manufacture. Nuclear Fuel Fabricators & Zircaloy Tubing Supply provides a review of the nuclear fuel fabrication business and processes while indicating where fabricators acquire their zirconium fuel assembly components.
Nuclear Zirconium Supply & Demand Analysis offers proprietary data and analysis of the global supply and demand balance for nuclear fuel-related zirconium alloy products. In addition, this chapter includes regional breakdowns as well as supply and demand analysis based on the different global reactor fuel types.
Overall Conclusions & Market Analysis completes our nuclear-grade zirconium market analysis with final thoughts on recent and emerging market trends along with a discussion on current prices and expectations for future price developments.
Table of Contents
Introduction & Overview
- Comprehensive Coverage of the Global Nuclear Zirconium Industry
- Availability of Data
- What’s New in the 2021 Report?
- Structure of the Report
1 - General Zirconium Overview & Zircon Market Review
- Occurrence
- Primary Producing Countries
- Hafnium Occurrence
- General Uses
- Zirconium Metal
- Nuclear Applications
- New Nuclear Zirconium Alloys Under Development
- Zircon Resources and Production
- Reserves and Resources.
- Zircon Mining
- Zircon Production
- Individual Company Production
- Zircon Consumption and Prices
- Overview
- Consumption of Zircon
- Influence of Tile Manufacturing Techniques
- Market Dynamics
- Zircon Prices
- Zirconium Oxychloride Market
- The Influence of China
- Conclusions
2 - Manufacturing Processes for Nuclear Fuel Components
- Production of Zirconium Sponge
- The Importance of Hafnium Separation
- Zircon Sand Processing
- Hafnium Removal
- Final Sponge Production
- Manufacture of Zirconium Alloy Ingots
- Manufacture of Zirconium Alloy Plate, Sheet, Bar Stock, and Tube-Reduced Extrusions (TREX)
- Production of Nuclear Fuel Tubing
3 - Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Materials & Product Suppliers
- Zirconium Sponge Producers
- China
- State Nuclear Baoti Zirconium Industry Company, Ltd. (SNZ)
- China Nuclear Jinghuan Zirconium Industry Co. Ltd. (CNNC Jinghuan)
- Guangdong Orient Zirconic Industry Science & Technology Company Ltd. (Orient Zirconic)
- France
- Framatome Zirconium Division
- India
- Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC)
- Russia
- Chepetsky Mechanical Plant (CMP)
- Ukraine
- SSPE “Zirconium” (Discontinued)
- United States
- ATI Specialty Alloys and Components (ATI-SAC)
- Western Zirconium (WZ)
- Producers of Zirconium Alloy Plate, Sheet, Bar Stock, and TREX
- Argentina
- Fabricación de Aleaciones Especiales, SA (FAE)
- China
- State Nuclear Baoti Zirconium Industry Company, Ltd. (SNZ)
- Other Chinese Facilities
- France
- Framatome Zirconium Division
- India
- Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC)
- Russia
- Chepetsky Mechanical Plant (CMP)
- Sweden
- Sandvik Materials Technology (SMT)
- United States
- ATI Specialty Alloys and Components (ATI-SAC)
- Western Zirconium (WZ)
- Zirconium Alloy Traders and Scrap Recyclers
- Manufacturers of Nuclear Fuel Tubing
- Argentina
- Fabricación de Aleaciones Especiales, SA (FAE)
- Canada
- BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada (BWXT Canada)
- Cameco Fuel Manufacturing, Inc. (CFMI)
- China
- State Nuclear Baoti Zirconium Industry Company, Ltd. (SNZ)
- CNNC-AREVA Shanghai Tubing Co. (CAST)
- France
- Framatome Zirconium Division
- India
- Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC)
- Iran
- Zirconium Production Plant (ZPP)
- Japan
- Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Company (MNF)
- Russia
- Chepetsky Mechanical Plant (CMP)
- South Korea
- KEPCO Nuclear Fuel (KNF)
- Sweden
- Sandvik Materials Technology (SMT)
- United Kingdom
- Fine Tubes, Ltd.
- United States
- Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas (GNF)
- Sandvik Special Metals Corporation (SSM)
- Superior Tube Company
- Veridiam
- Westinghouse Specialty Metals Plant (SMP)
- Discontinued Tubing Suppliers
- Duisburg Special Tubes GmbH (Germany)
- Zirco Products (Japan)
- Possible Future Supply Developments
4 - Nuclear Fuel Fabricators & Zirconium Components Supply
- Fabrication Market Overview
- Key Players
- Framatome
- Global Nuclear Fuel
- Westinghouse Electric Company
- TVEL Fuel Company
- KEPCO Nuclear Fuel
- National and Regional Fuel Suppliers
- Non-LWR Fuel Fabricators
- Fabrication Supply & Demand
- Non-LWR Fuel Supply and Demand
- Fabrication Market Dynamics
- Zirconium Alloy Components and the Fuel Fabrication Process
- Fuel Cladding
- End Plugs or Caps
- Fuel Rods.
- Spacer Grids
- BWR Water Rods/Channels
- BWR Fuel Channels
- PWR Guide Tubes/Thimbles and Instrument Tubes
- End Fittings
- Construction of the Assembly
- Zirconium Tubing & BWR Channel Supply to Fabricators
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- India
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- South Korea
- Romania
- Russia
- Spain
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- United States
5 - Nuclear Zirconium Supply & Demand Analysis
- Nuclear Zirconium Demand Modeling
- Unaccounted for Zirconium Demand
- Nuclear Zirconium Supply Forecasting
- Global Supply and Demand for Nuclear-Grade Zirconium Sponge
- Zirconium Sponge Demand Forecasts
- Zirconium Sponge Supply Forecast
- Global Supply and Demand for Nuclear-Grade Zirconium Alloys
- Zirconium Alloy Demand Forecasts
- Zirconium Alloy Supply Forecast
- Global Supply and Demand for Zirconium Tubing
- Zirconium Tubing Demand Forecasts
- Zirconium Tubing Supply Forecast
- Regional Demand and Supply Considerations
- Regional Demand Distributions
- Zirconium Alloy
- Zirconium Tubing
- Analysis of Regional Supply
- Zirconium Alloy
- Zirconium Tubing
- Reactor Type Demand and Supply Considerations
- Reactor Type Demand Distributions
- Zirconium Alloy
- Zirconium Tubing
- Analysis of Reactor Type Zirconium Supply and Demand
6 - Overall Conclusions & Market Analysis
- The Influence of Zircon and ZOC Prices
- The Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Market in the Post-Fukushima World
- Emerging Market Issues
- Government Policies and Trade Actions
- Impact of Accident Tolerant Fuels and Advanced Cladding Designs
- The Growing Hafnium Market
- Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Market Trends and Outlook
- Nuclear-Grade Zirconium Prices
Appendix A: Zirconium Weight Calculations for Fuel Assemblies
Appendix B: Nuclear Power Forecasts
- Base Case Reactor Forecast
- Alternative Reactor Forecast Cases
Appendix C: Nuclear Power Regions
Appendix D: Statistics on Reactor Technologies and Vendors
Appendix E: Websites of Nuclear Zirconium Companies
- Zirconium Sponge Companies
- Zirconium Alloy Companies
- Zirconium Tubing Companies
List of Figures
Figure 1. Nuclear Zirconium Manufacturing Overview
Figure 2. Zircon Sand
Figure 3. Microphotograph of Zircon Sand
Figure 4. Countries with Major Zirconium Resources
Figure 5. Applications for Zirconium Materials
Figure 6. Manufacture of Zirconium Products
Figure 7. Historical Demand for Zircon by End Use (1970-2010)
Figure 8. Zircon Utilization in 2020
Figure 9. Zircon Mining Process
Figure 10. Zircon Mining Pond
Figure 11. Zircon Mining Dredging Operations
Figure 12. World Zirconium Reserves Distribution, 2020
Figure 13. World Zirconium Mine Production Distribution, 2020
Figure 14. Zirconium Mineral Concentrates Production, 2000-2020
Figure 15. Zirconium Mineral Concentrates Production by Supplier in 2019
Figure 16. Global Zircon Consumption, Actual and Forecast, Circa 2012
Figure 17. Global Zircon Consumption, 2010-2016
Figure 18. Zircon Supply vs. Demand Forecast, 1990-2020, Circa 2010
Figure 19. Zircon Supply vs. Demand, 2013-2023
Figure 20. COVID-19 Impacts on Zircon Supply & Demand
Figure 21. Zircon Prices Q1-2010 - Q1-2012
Figure 22. Zircon Price Trends, 2010-2019
Figure 23. Zircon Price Forecast to 2027
Figure 24. ZOC Prices, 2017-2020
Figure 25. Typical Zirconium Sponge Production Process
Figure 26. Examples of Nuclear-Grade Zirconium Sponge
Figure 27. Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Manufacturing Process
Figure 28. Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Ingot Production
Figure 29. Typical Zirconium Alloy Sheet
Figure 30. Typical PWR Fuel Assembly Spacer Grid
Figure 31. Typical Zirconium Alloy Bar Stock
Figure 32. Typical Zirconium Tube-Reduced Extrusions (TREX)
Figure 33. Pilgering Process.
Figure 34. Schematic of the Pilgering Process.
Figure 35. Zirconium Alloy Nuclear Fuel Cladding
Figure 36. Typical BWR (left) and PWR (right) Fuel Assemblies
Figure 37. Nuclear Zirconium Sponge Producer Capacity Shares.
Figure 38. First Nuclear-Grade Zirconium Sponge Produced at SNZ’s Nantong Plant
Figure 39. CNNC Jinghuan Nuclear Zirconium Sponge Readied for Export to Russia
Figure 40. Framatome’s Zirconium Division
Figure 41. Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Producer Capacity Shares
Figure 42. Zirconium Alloy Fabrication at India’s NFC
Figure 43. Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Tubing Manufacturer Capacity Shares
Figure 44. Worker Inspecting Zirconium Tubes at CAST Plant
Figure 45. Worldwide LWR Fabrication Supply and Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 46. Typical BWR Fuel Assemblies
Figure 47. Typical PWR Fuel Assembly
Figure 48. Typical Fuel Rod
Figure 49. Typical PWR (left) and BWR (right) Skeletons/Cages
Figure 50. Projection of Global Zirconium Sponge Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 51. Nuclear Zirconium Sponge Supply vs. Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 52. Projection of Global Zirconium Alloy Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 53. Global Zirconium Alloy Supply vs. Demand, 2008-2035.
Figure 54. Projection of Global Zirconium Tubing Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 55. Global Zirconium Tubing Supply vs. Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 56. Regional Distribution of Zirconium Alloy Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 57. Regional Distribution of Zirconium Tubing Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 58. Regional Distribution of Zirconium Alloy Supply
Figure 59. Regional Distribution of Zirconium Tubing Supply
Figure 60. Reactor Type Distribution of Zirconium Alloy Demand, 2008-2035
Figure 61. Reactor Type Distribution of Zirconium Tubing Demand, 2008-2035
Figure B-1. Nuclear Generating Capacity Forecast, 2008-2035
Figure B-2. Base, High, and Low Case Nuclear Capacity Forecasts, 2008-2035
Figure C-1. Map of NPO Countries by Region
Figure D-1. Percentages of Different Operating Reactor Types
Figure D-2. Percentages of New Reactor Types, 2021-2030
Figure D-3. Percentages of New Reactor Vendors, 2021-2030
List of Tables
Table 1. Chemical Composition of Principal Zr Alloys (%)
Table 2. TVEL’s Zirconium Alloys.
Table 3. Chemical Composition of HANA™ Alloys
Table 4. World Zirconium Mine Production and Reserves
Table 5. New Zircon Mining Projects
Table 6. World Nuclear Zirconium Sponge Producers
Table 7. World Zirconium Alloy, Plate, Sheet, Bar Stock & TREX Producers
Table 8. World Nuclear Zirconium Alloy Tubing Manufacturers
Table 9. Worldwide LWR Fuel Fabrication Capacity in 2020
Table 10. Projection of Global Zirconium Sponge Demand, 2018-2035
Table 11. Projection of Global Zirconium Alloy Demand, 2018-2035
Table 12. Projection of Global Zirconium Tubing Demand, 2018-2035
Table 13. Regional Distribution of Zirconium Alloy Demand, 2019-2035
Table 14. Regional Distribution of Zirconium Tubing Demand, 2019-2035
Table A-1. Zirconium Alloy Weight and Tubing Calculations for Fuel Assembly Designs
Table B-1. Reactor Units & Nuclear Capacities Anticipated by Country by 2035
Table B-2. Base, High, and Low Case Nuclear Reactor and Capacity Forecasts, 2018-2035
Table D-1. Operating Reactor Types in April 2021
Table D-2. New Reactor Types, 2021-2030
Table D-3. New Reactor Vendors, 2021-2030
Samples
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Executive Summary
Analyzing the Future for Zircaloy
The initial report, issued in 2008, was intended as a one-of-a-kind snapshot of the zirconium alloy industry. However, subsequent editions since then convinced us that there is an ongoing need for current information on this unique market. The latest edition of this special report, issued in April 2021, updates all of the relevant information and analysis to reflect the shifts in the global zirconium minerals market, developments in the nuclear zirconium supply chain, and the most current nuclear reactor market situation.
This report offers the analyst's latest research on the many different suppliers that operate in the nuclear-grade zirconium sponge, alloy, materials, and tubing markets. Using proprietary demand modeling, we identify the latest major trends in the nuclear-grade zirconium industry by analyzing the global and regional supply and demand balances for nuclear-grade zirconium alloy and tubing as well by reactor types.
Nuclear-grade zirconium alloys and products are used in the fabrication of fuel assemblies for the vast majority of current and future nuclear reactors around the world. Despite the diminished growth outlook for global nuclear power over the past decade, the global supply chain of nuclear-grade zirconium - from zircon mineral sand through the cladding and components used in finished fuel assemblies - requires consistent tracking. Therefore, the primary objective of this report is to factually and analytically approach the current and expected future direction of the nuclear-grade zirconium market to help formulate clear conclusions about how nuclear fuel fabricators will obtain the zirconium needed to create their finished products.
Companies Mentioned
- ATI Specialty Alloys and Components (ATI-SAC)
- BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada (BWXT Canada)
- Cameco Fuel Manufacturing, Inc. (CFMI)
- Chepetsky Mechanical Plant (CMP)
- China Nuclear Jinghuan Zirconium Industry Co. Ltd. (CNNC Jinghuan)
- CNNC-AREVA Shanghai Tubing Co. (CAST)
- Discontinued Tubing Suppliers
- Duisburg Special Tubes GmbH (Germany)
- Fabricación de Aleaciones Especiales, SA (FAE)
- Fine Tubes, Ltd.
- Framatome Zirconium Division
- Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas (GNF)
- Guangdong Orient Zirconic Industry Science & Technology Company Ltd. (Orient Zirconic)
- KEPCO Nuclear Fuel (KNF)
- Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Company (MNF)
- Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC)
- Sandvik Materials Technology (SMT)
- Sandvik Special Metals Corporation (SSM)
- SSPE “Zirconium” (Discontinued)
- State Nuclear Baoti Zirconium Industry Company, Ltd. (SNZ)
- Superior Tube Company
- TVEL Fuel Company
- Veridiam
- Western Zirconium (WZ)
- Westinghouse Specialty Metals Plant (SMP)
- Zirco Products (Japan)
- Zirconium Production Plant (ZPP)
