Global Molybdenum Disulfide Market Overview

The global molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) market was valued at USD 863.8 million in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 1,112.6 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2025 to 2030. This market expansion is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of MoS₂ as a high-performance solid lubricant in automotive greases.

MoS₂’s outstanding friction-reducing and wear-resistant properties enhance the durability and operational efficiency of components such as bearings, CV joints, chassis systems, and gears. Its compatibility with a broad range of grease thickener systems—including lithium, polyurea, and aluminum complex—further supports its wide application across sectors such as automotive, aerospace, mining, construction, and agriculture. Mid-sized MoS₂ particles (~6 µm) are particularly favored for their optimal load-bearing capabilities and surface-smoothing properties, making them ideal for high-wear, high-load environments.

In powder form, molybdenum disulfide performs exceptionally well under extreme pressures and temperatures, especially in conditions where conventional lubricants fail—such as vacuum environments, tight clearances, or high-temperature systems. As industries shift toward lighter, more durable, and lower-maintenance machinery, MoS₂ continues to see increased demand in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and industrial machinery applications.

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Its use as a dry lubricant has also expanded significantly. Powdered MoS₂ is utilized in a variety of applications including metal forming dies, O-rings, piston skirts, and electrical contacts, due to its inherent low friction and strong wear resistance. MoS₂ also features prominently in various coating technologies, such as burnished films, sputtered coatings, and resin-bonded formulations.

• Burnished films (typically 1–5 µm thick) are applied to substrates like threaded components, switches, and electronic contacts, offering long-lasting lubrication.
• Sputtered coatings, deposited in vacuum environments, provide ultra-thin, durable layers ideal for aerospace and satellite applications.
• Resin-bonded coatings, using MoS₂ with advanced resins such as polybenzimidazole or polybenzothiazole, are applied to automotive piston skirts and fasteners for fuel efficiency, consistent torque, and engine longevity.

In precision systems—such as Parker Hannifin’s CPI and A-LOK compression fittings—bonded MoS₂ coatings ensure low-torque assembly, repeatability, and leak-tight performance, even under severe environmental and mechanical stress. This versatility continues to make MoS₂ indispensable for high-performance mechanical systems.

However, the market faces some limitations, such as the high cost of high-purity MoS₂, supply chain volatility for raw materials, and technical difficulties in coating complex geometries.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• Asia Pacific led the global molybdenum disulfide market with a 47.6% share in 2024, driven by growing demand from industrial lubrication, energy storage, and advanced electronics sectors. The expanding EV and electronics industries in China, South Korea, and Japan are significant contributors.
• China accounted for 57.5% of the Asia Pacific MoS₂ market in 2024, fueled by high domestic demand in lubricants, metallurgy, and catalyst sectors, and supported by the country’s strong position in molybdenum mining and refining.
• By form, the powdered MoS₂ segment dominated in 2024, capturing 90.2% of the global market. This is attributed to its widespread use in high-performance greases, threaded parts, and anti-galling coatings due to its superior tribological properties and particle-size flexibility.
• By application, the lubricants and greases segment led the market with a 54.6% share in 2024. MoS₂ is commonly used in gear oils, typically at 0.1% to 3% concentrations, providing critical wear protection and reducing friction under boundary lubrication conditions.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size: USD 863.8 Million
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 1,112.6 Million
• CAGR (2025–2030): 4.4%
• Largest Market (2024): Asia Pacific

Key Company Insights

Several prominent and emerging companies are contributing to innovation and competition within the molybdenum disulfide market:

• KANTO KAGAKU, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a key global supplier of high-purity MoS₂. The company focuses on MoS₂ for electronics, coatings, and semiconductor applications, offering superior thermal, chemical, and tribological properties. Its R&D efforts target next-generation uses in flexible electronics, sensors, and energy storage.
• Structure Probe, Inc., based in the U.S., specializes in MoS₂ for research and precision applications, with products tailored for electron microscopy, nanoelectronics, and high-performance coatings. The company emphasizes high crystallinity and consistent quality to meet the demands of scientific and industrial users.

Leading Companies in the Molybdenum Disulfide Market

• 2D Semiconductors
• ACS Material
• Sisco Research Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.
• KANTO KAGAKU
• Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co., Ltd. (TRUNNANO)
• SUMICO LUBRICANT CO., LTD.
• Merck KGaA
• Nanografi Advanced Materials
• Songxian Exploiter Molybdenum Co.
• Structure Probe, Inc.
• VCI & LUBRICANTS LLC

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Conclusion

The global molybdenum disulfide market is poised for steady growth through 2030, driven by rising demand for solid lubricants in automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery. MoS₂’s unique ability to perform under extreme environmental and mechanical conditions, along with its suitability for advanced coating technologies, has made it a key material in the evolution of high-performance and low-maintenance systems.

The Asia Pacific region, particularly China, will continue to lead the market due to its strong manufacturing base, rising demand for industrial lubricants, and dominance in molybdenum mining. Companies focusing on high-purity production, nanomaterials, and semiconductor-grade MoS₂ are expected to benefit the most from emerging applications in electronics, energy storage, and advanced engineering systems.

Despite some limitations—such as cost and technical challenges—the growing shift toward lightweight, sustainable, and high-efficiency solutions across industries ensures a positive outlook for molybdenum disulfide as a critical material in the years ahead.