The Global Selenium Metal Market was valued at USD 720 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 950 Million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the forecast period (2024–2029). This sustained growth is primarily driven by escalating demand from the electronics and solar energy sectors, the expanding glass manufacturing industry, and the increased use of selenium in metallurgy for enhanced alloy properties, particularly in lead-free brass applications.

As a critical byproduct of copper refining, selenium’s supply chain is intrinsically linked to global copper production. Its unique photoconductive and semiconductor properties make it indispensable for modern technology. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Selenium Metal Industry—a group of mining giants, specialty chemical producers, and advanced materials suppliers that control the global supply and innovation pipeline for this essential element.

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🔟 1. Vital Materials

Headquarters: Guangdong, China
Key Offering: High-Purity Selenium (4N, 5N), Selenium Dioxide, Selenium Pellets

Vital Materials is a global leader in the production and supply of high-purity selenium and other rare metals. The company has established a robust supply chain that leverages its strong presence in China, a major hub for both copper production and electronics manufacturing, making it a pivotal player in the selenium market.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Vertical integration with copper smelters for secure raw material sourcing
• Significant investment in purification technologies to achieve 5N (99.999%) purity for electronics
• Expansion of global distribution networks to serve North American and European markets

Download FREE Sample Report: Selenium Metal Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Umicore

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Selenium Metal Powder, Selenium Compounds for Catalysts, High-Purity Selenium

Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling group with a significant footprint in specialty metals. Its selenium business benefits from its advanced recycling capabilities, allowing it to produce selenium from recycled materials, which is increasingly important for sustainable supply chains in the electronics industry.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Pioneering urban mining processes to recover selenium from electronic waste
• Developing selenium-based catalysts for chemical synthesis and emissions control
• Focus on supply chain transparency and responsible sourcing certifications

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8️⃣ 3. Sumitomo Metal Mining

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Selenium Slabs, High-Purity Selenium for CIGS Solar Cells

Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) is a major Japanese non-ferrous metal producer. Its selenium production is a direct byproduct of its extensive copper smelting and refining operations. SMM is a key supplier for the Asian electronics and solar panel markets, where high-purity selenium is critical.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Leading supplier of selenium for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar panels
• Continuous improvement in smelter efficiency to maximize selenium recovery rates
• Long-term contracts with major electronics manufacturers in Japan and South Korea

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7️⃣ 4. Yunnan Copper Science & Technology

Headquarters: Kunming, Yunnan, China
Key Offering: Standard Grade Selenium, Selenium Dioxide

As a subsidiary of one of China’s largest copper producers, Yunnan Copper Group, this company has access to substantial anode slime resources from which selenium is recovered. It plays a crucial role in supplying the domestic Chinese market for glass manufacturing and metallurgy.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Expansion of selenium recovery facilities aligned with growing copper output
• Focus on serving the booming Chinese construction and automotive glass sectors
• Investment in environmental technologies to manage byproduct processing safely

Download FREE Sample Report: Selenium Metal Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. LS-Nikko Copper

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: Selenium Metal, Tellurium, Byproduct Metals from Copper Refining

LS-Nikko Copper is a leading copper refiner in South Korea and a significant global supplier of byproduct selenium. Its strategic location and advanced refining technology make it a reliable supplier for the high-tech industries concentrated in Northeast Asia.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Operating one of the world’s most efficient copper refineries for high byproduct yield
• Strong focus on quality control for selenium destined for semiconductor applications
• Strategic partnerships with Korean display and electronics giants

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5️⃣ 6. 5N Plus

Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Key Offering: Ultra-High Purity Selenium (5N+, 6N), Selenium Compounds for PV

5N Plus specializes in the production of ultra-pure metals and compounds for electronic applications. While not a primary producer from copper anode slimes, it is a critical player in the value chain, purifying standard-grade selenium into ultra-high-purity materials for specialized markets.

Strategic Initiatives:

• World-leading capabilities in purifying selenium to 99.9999% (6N) purity
• Key supplier for the photovoltaics and infrared optics industries
• Development of selenium-based compounds for radiation detection

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4️⃣ 7. Jinchuan Group

Headquarters: Jinchang, Gansu, China
Key Offering: Selenium Metal, Selenium Powder, Nickel-based Alloys containing Selenium

Jinchuan Group is China’s largest producer of nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals, and it also recovers significant quantities of selenium from its complex ore processing operations. Its integrated mining and refining model provides a stable and diversified source of selenium.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Utilizing selenium in proprietary metallurgical formulas for improved alloy performance
• Expanding selenium chemical production for agricultural nutrients and pigments
• Investing in R&D for new selenium applications in battery technologies

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3️⃣ 8. KGHM Polska Miedź

Headquarters: Lubin, Poland
Key Offering: Selenium, Silver, Lead from Copper Production

KGHM is one of the largest copper and silver producers in the world, operating major mines in Poland. Its substantial copper output translates into significant selenium production, making it a key supplier to the European market, with a focus on metallurgical and chemical applications.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Modernizing smelter operations to increase the efficiency of selenium recovery
• Emphasis on supplying the European steel and brass industries with selenium for alloying
• Exploring new market opportunities in Eastern Europe and the Balkans

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2️⃣ 9. Norilsk Nickel

Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
Key Offering: Selenium, Tellurium, Byproducts from Nickel and Palladium mining

Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel) is the world’s largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel. The company recovers selenium as a byproduct from its vast Siberian mining operations. Its production is a significant factor in the global selenium market, though geopolitical factors influence its trade flows.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Focus on internal consumption of selenium for specialized alloy production
• Maintaining long-standing supply agreements within the CIS region
• Investment in environmental projects to reduce the footprint of byproduct processing

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1️⃣ 10. II-VI Incorporated (Now Coherent Corp.)

Headquarters: Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) Optics, High-Purity Selenium for Compound Semiconductors

Following its merger with Coherent, II-VI is a global leader in engineered materials and photonic components. It is a major consumer and value-added processor of high-purity selenium, using it to manufacture critical components for lasers, thermal imaging systems, and aerospace applications.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Leading manufacturer of zinc selenide, a key infrared optical material
• Driving innovation in selenium-based compounds for next-generation photonics
• Strategic sourcing of selenium to ensure supply for defense and aerospace contracts

Get Full Report Here: Selenium Metal Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Selenium Metal Is High-Tech and High-Purity

The selenium metal market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional applications in glass decolorization and metallurgy remain vital, the future is firmly anchored in high-value electronics, renewable energy, and advanced optics. The industry’s focus is shifting towards producing higher purity grades and developing innovative applications that leverage selenium’s unique properties.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rising demand for ultra-high-purity (5N and above) selenium for semiconductor and thin-film solar applications
• Increased regulation and consumer preference driving the use of selenium in lead-free brass plumbing fixtures
• Growth in the infrared optics market, where zinc selenide is a material of choice
• Supply chain resilience becoming a priority, with companies diversifying sources away from geopolitical hotspots

Get Full Report Here: Selenium Metal Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a critical industrial element—they are enabling the technological advancements that define the modern world, from efficient solar energy to clear glass and high-performance electronics.