Production Units
Each link is needed to form a chain. The perfect union of the links is what generates the necessary strength to face the most difficult challenge.
The strategic location of our plants enables us to meet global demand for molybdenum in good time and fulfill the needs of the industries we supply, which do business in highly technical, competitive markets.
Complejo Industrial MolymetNos
MolymetNos was founded in 1975 in Nos, which is located in the district of San Bernardo. It is currently the Molymet plant with the greatest production capacity and produces a large variety of finished products. It has an installed transformation capacity of 82 million pounds of molybdenum per year and a cutting-edge environmental management system that ensures care and respect for and protection of the environment. MolymetNos laboratories are the birthplace of the main innovation and development projects that allow Molymet to lead the global molybdenum and rhenium industry.
PRODUCTS
Powder
Briquettes
Ferro molybdenum
Pure molybdenum oxide
Ammonium dimolybdate
Rhenium products
Sulfuric acid
Copper cathodes and cement copper
MILESTONES 2021
Logistics
As a result of the pandemic, during the year we faced multiple issues with raw material supplies around the world. The global transportation crisis was the root cause of these problems and will probably continue throughout 2022. This has translated into higher energy prices, more expensive and scarcer raw materials, considerably higher freight costs and longer delivery times. This year it was very hard to stay within budgeted operating costs. Furthermore, numerous changes and adaptations required shifts in operational planning based on raw material and input availability in order to ensure we followed through on customer commitments.
Sustainability
As a company that thinks about the planet’s wellbeing, in 2021 we did not overlook sustainability, one of Molymet's strategic priorities. In July we received Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA) 511 from the Environmental Assessment Service for the Project to Modernize and Strengthen the Gas Train. This expenditure of over US$ 60 million is the subsidiary’s largest investment in the last ten years. To be implemented over the next three years, the project will give us new, more robust facilities and operating flexibility that will help cut our SO2 emissions by 40% without increasing the plant’s production capacity.
Footprint
In December we earned the Carbon Footprint Quantification Seal for scopes 1, 2 and 3 direct and indirect emissions from the MolymetNos plant. This seal is part of the Huella Chile Program from the Ministry of the Environment. It will lay the foundation for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Targets we have set for our organization.
Waste
During the year, we have worked jointly with the Research and Development Department and the Vice President of Engineering on the Industrial Solid Waste Committee. This committee's objective is to reduce generation and disposal of solid waste. To this end, short-, medium- and long-term plans were formulated to reduce waste generation by 35%.
Water and Energy
We have defined a water management strategy for MolymetNos designed to ensure the supply and efficient use of water over the next few years and achieve the water intensity goal set for 2030. On the energy side, we began the process to certify our energy management system under ISO 50001.
Innovation
We continued the digital transformation of process management by incorporating the liquor treatment and concentrate conditioning plants into the PI system. This is in addition to the roasting and gas treatment plants, which were completed in 2020. Some utilities, such as the cooling towers, were also included.
Independence
During the year, we prepared the way for operating as an independent subsidiary of Molibdenos y Metales S.A., a process finally completed in January 2022. This will be one of our most important challenges for the coming year. In response, we will focus on improving financial management and management control to forge a unique, differentiating identity for our industrial operations.
Certifications
In 2021, we successfully fulfilled all requirements to maintain our ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications and we also earned ISO 45001 certification in place of OHSAS 18000.
Workforce
Number of Employees by Gender
Number of Employees by Nationality
Number of Employees by Age Group
Years of Service
Number of Persons with Disabilities
Key Figures
from external
customers
consolidated group
revenue
molybdenum
Daniel Ureta V. General Manger, MolymetNos
Complejo Industrial Molynor S.A.
In 2021 Molynor had to deal with the pandemic’s impact on the global logistics chain, including higher prices of operating inputs and materials, longer wait times, greater logistics expenses and supply issues due to suppliers filing bankruptcy or otherwise being unable to operate. This situation forced us to redouble efforts to procure the inputs we needed to operate our plant on schedule. Molynor is a molybdenum concentrate processing plant located in Mejillones, 65 kilometers from Antofagasta. It has an annual roasting capacity of 60 million pounds of molybdenum. The facility also has a concentrate conditioning plant with a
nominal processing capacity of 56 million pounds of molybdenum as well as a copper cementation facility, a solvent extraction facility to recover molybdenum-rhenium, a gas treatment facility to generate sulfuric acid from the gases released from roasting molybdenum and, lastly, a liquor neutralizing plant. We market our products in Europe, Asia and the Americas and are constantly striving to diversify our product portfolio. In 2021, we added ferro molybdenum primarily for our European customers.
PRODUCTS
Molybdenum oxide
powder
Rhenium
concentrate
Sulfuric
acid
Cement
copper
Ferrous
chloride
Ferro molybdenum
MILESTONES 2021
Operational Continuity
In 2021, we made progress towards our objective of continuous roasting operations, achieving 610 days with no stoppages. This achievement can be attributed mainly to the individuals working directly and indirectly on that process, who make us more competitive and sustainable and help us use progressively fewer resources and spare parts to produce molybdenum oxide.
Sustainability
During the year we began the process of certifying our energy management system and completed steps to measure our organizational carbon footprint (scopes 1, 2 and 3). Similarly, we voluntarily adhered to the HuellaChile Program, which involved declaring our organizational footprint and earned us a quantification seal from the Ministry of the Environment. We also moved forward in the area of circular economy, identifying new uses for all final currents from the concentrate cleaning and solvent extraction processes.
Technology
In 2021 we invested US$ 415,000 in the project “Capacity Increase in Automatic Control Network.” This project’s objective is to increase our data transmission capacity and ensure network uptime for the continuity of automatic control systems. Likewise, we began working on the “Automation Lab” project to automate the sample analysis process at the Molynor lab. The project should be completed in late 2022 with an investment of US$ 1.9 million.
Certifications
During the year we were recertified under ISO 9.001:2015 for quality and ISO 14.001:2015 for the environment and certified under ISO 45.001:2018 for occupational health and safety.
Key Figures
89% men
Braulio Cid D. General Manger, Molynor
WORKFORCE
Number of Employees by Gender
Number of Employees by Nationality
Number of Employees by Age Group
Years of Service
Number of Persons with Disabilities
Carbomet Energía S.A.
At Carbomet Energía we provide clean energy through the production of hydroelectricity while optimizing the use of water. Located in the district of Puente Alto in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, we generate electricity in two power plants with nominal power of 5.6 MW and 5.1 MW, respectively. The plants feed energy into the National Electricity System (SEN) through the EEPA and CGE distribution networks, respectively, using the Small Means of Distributed Generation (PMGD) mode. Both the power plants and auxiliary facilities are located on land owned by the company and third-parties that were awarded by concession (DS4350 dated July 1944) with their corresponding easements.
The company also has non-consumption water rights of 24 m3/s. As such, it returns the water to the source after it is used in the turbine.
In 2021, three major factors impacted Carbomet Energía’s operations:
- The drought affecting central Chile for over a decade
- Volatility in energy prices throughout the year for different reasons
- The tension on the Chilean electricity system as a result of the drought, low availability of gas and unavailability of power plants.
MILESTONES 2021
Health and Safety
During the year we implemented an Occupational Health and Safety Management System, conducted training sessions for all company employees and updated the risk matrix for our Operations and Maintenance Area.
Cybersecurity
We updated the control, oversight and monitoring system for Carbomet's hydroelectric power plants, enabling us to intensify cybersecurity measures and streamline plant operations while also readying our assets to implement innovative, remote operating systems at a later date.
INVESTMENT PLANS FOR 2021
We executed an investment plan totaling
consisting mainly of:
Reconditioning the Carburera Canal Desk
Manufacturing an impeller for the Los Bajos Power Plant
Manufacturing and assembling a gate for the Carburera Canal
Upgrading CCTV software and adding cameras
Manufacturing axis for Unit AB
Reconditioning plate in Unit A
Purchasing APTi controller for hydroelectric power plants
WATER USE
In light of the water shortages affecting the Maipo River Basin, the company has been forced to review the frequency of maintenance and operating activities. We have also joined forces with fellow members of the oversight committees for the first section of the Maipo River to study water resources in the basin, including shortage variables, modifications in water quality and sedimentology, operating variables along the river and its tributaries, in order to optimize and improve information for each market player. This study is currently underway.
Key Figures
Installed capacity
10,6 MW
Annual
production
MWh
Number of
employees
Annual
revenue
WORKFORCE
Number of Employees by Gender
Number of Employees by Nationality
Number of Employees by Age Group
Years of Service
Number of Persons with Disabilities
Carlos Pinto F. General Manager, Carbomet Energía
Inmobiliaria San Bernardo S.A.
Inmobiliaria San Bernardo S.A. (ISBSA) produces, processes and exports organic walnuts to various countries around the world under the brand Geonuts®. They are produced on 123 hectares forming an organic, biodiverse green band surrounding the MolymetNos industrial plant, which helps mitigate the effects of our industrial operations on neighboring communities. The main destinations for our Geonuts products are markets with high quality and food safety standards like Austria, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Turkey and Japan.
MILESTONES 2021
Environment
In 2021 ISBSA signed an agreement to establish a real right of environmental conservation over our land, thus formalizing our environmental conservation and ecological efforts involving our orchards in the San Bernardo urban radius. We also purchased and installed Aqua4d technology to improve salt management in irrigation water, thus enhancing the project’s sustainability in response to drought and climate change.
Innovation
We installed an optical sorter with artificial intelligence (Sortbox) to quickly and efficiently remove defective products from the selection line, thus improving quality and reducing waste. This has enabled us to produce around 4,500 kilos of walnuts that otherwise would have been discarded. It also helped us meet nut delivery deadlines, despite COVID-19-related operating difficulties.
Gardens
In collaboration with Molymet, we developed and implemented the project “Organic Family Gardens" in three communities: Cinco Pinos, Carbomet and Rinconada de Nos. In the second half of 2021, the Rosita Renard nursing home was also included in the program. This initiative aims to combine ISBSA know-how and basic organic and ecological production techniques with donated materials to help our neighbors grow their own healthy, sustainable produce. These efforts have brought us closer to the communities around the MolymetNos plant, while improving relations and demonstrating the positive local impact of ISBSA’s organic walnut production.
INVESTMENT PLANS 2021
In 2021, our main investments were to acquire equipment to mitigate and reduce damage from excess chloride and sodium salts in irrigation water used on ISBSA orchards, thus improving the project’s sustainability in the face of climate change. This equipment modifies the molecular structure of irrigation water using low-frequency waves, thereby improving the efficiency with which it penetrates the soil and moving salts to lower depths away from the root area. This project entailed investments of US$ 196,420.
Total amount invested
We also invested to automate systems to remotely control technified irrigation and measure inflows. Improvements were made to control and manage water resources for walnut trees, allowing operators to oversee, program, monitor and control irrigation remotely, as well as obtain records on flows used, in order to better manage this resource in light of the drought affecting the Metropolitan Region of Santiago. We also incorporated a flow meter to measure irrigation water entering the ISBSA orchards in order to control, monitor and manage available water. This project entailed investments of US$ 28,660.
CERTIFICATIONS
In 2021 ISBSA expanded its organic certifications for the Chinese market, enabling us to export organic walnuts to this large market. We also have organic certification for Europe, Brazil, the United States, Switzerland and Japan. We also obtained the following certifications:
Organic production, processing and export certifications for China
GlobalGap good agricultural practices certification
HACCP food safety certification.
WORKFORCE
Number of Employees by Gender
Number of Employees by Nationality
Number of Employees by Age Group
Years of Service
Number of Persons with Disabilities
Carlos Pinto F. General Manager, Inmobiliaria San Bernardo
Molymex S.A. de C.V.
Molymex S.A. de C.V. is located in the state of Sonora, Mexico, and is the only company of its kind in that country. With an annual processing capacity of 29 million pounds of molybdenum, the company stands out because of its commitment to its employees and to caring for the environment, a key aspect of its work that has won it several awards, including Great Place to Work (GPTW); the Clean Industry Mexico certification; the Integrated Management System designation (including quality, environmental and occupational health and safety
management) and the Environmental Excellence Award. The latter is the highest accolade given by the Mexican government to companies that go beyond legal compliance through the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa). The main markets served by Molymex are: Europe, North America and Asia, reaching countries like Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, the United States, Canada, Chile and China.
PRODUCTS
Molybdenum oxide powder
Rhenium concentrate
Molybdenum oxide briquettes
Sulfuric acid
Concentrate cleaning
In 2021 our plants boasted 596 days of operational continuity, meaning that production was not stopped for maintenance during that period. This required hard work every day to monitor operational issues arising along the way. We also anticipated possible problems through a project to maximize production lines designed to analyze different process variables and correct deviations.
INVESTMENT PLANS
In 2021, we initiated the master equipment replacement plan at the Molymet gas treatment plants by identifying the most vulnerable equipment and scheduling its replacement over the next five years. These initiatives, which represent an approximate investment of
US$ 6.800.000will enable us to ensure operational continuity at our plants for the next 15 years.
CERTIFICATIONS
Molymex has an Integrated Management System, which is made up of ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) and ISO 45001: 2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System). These certifications are valid until July 2023.
We have the highest level of environmental performance, validated by the level 2 Clean Industry Certification. Dating back to 2002, that certification demonstrates our environmental management in terms of regulatory compliance and continuous improvement. Currently, Molymex has renewed its certification until May 2023.
Great Place to Work recognized us globally as one of the best companies to work for and publicly recognizes our workplace culture as outstanding.
Reconocimientos
Environmental Excellence Award
since 2007, for demonstrating leadership and commitment to environmental conservation beyond legal compliance.
CSR Distinction
Granted by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy for the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts. We have earned this distinction for 11 years in a row.
Adherence to United Nations Global Compact
This is the largest corporate social responsibility network in the world, dedicated to promoting 10 universally accepted principles in matters such as human rights, labor standards, the environment and anti-corruption.
Great Place to Work Ranking 2021
Molymex was ranked 13th nationwide for its COVID-19 prevention measures.
Great Place to Work 2021. FOR ALL (GPTW)
National ranking that recognizes the cultural practices of the best places to work in Mexico. Molymex was ranked 24th nationwide.
Ranking of the best places to work in the northeastern region in 2021.
Amid challenging times, this regional ranking recognizes companies that took steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Molymex earned 2nd place. It includes companies in the northeast region (the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California, Chihuahua and Durango).
Ranking of the best places to work for women in Mexico in 2021.
This ranking recognizes companies that actively promote gender equality and inclusiveness in any position, area or role within their structure. Molymex earned 5th place.
WORKFORCE
Number of Employees by Gender
Number of Employees by Nationality
Number of Employees by Age Group
Years of Service
Number of Persons with Disabilities
Key Figures
Capacity used in 2021
99,87%(estimate based on internal projections))
Installed capacity
29 millionpounds of molybdenum
Alfredo Ortega T. General Director of Molymex
Molymet Germany GMBH
Molymet Germany operates in Bitterfeld, Germany, at a location that started industrial processing of molybdenum in the 1920s. The Bitterfeld site became part of Molymet twenty years ago, operating under the name CM Chemiemetall. It has continuously grown in production capacity since then.
Three production lines for the reduction of MoO3 to Mo have been installed under the Molymet’s management, the latest being added in 2020. At that time, the name was changed from CM Chemiemetall to Molymet Germany to express the bond with the strong Molymet brand.
MILESTONES 2021
Metal Powders
Molymet Germany's main business, molybdenum metal powders, has recovered very well during 2021.
Production Line
The new third production line was ramped up and successfully produced for an extended period of time without technical problems.
MARKET
Products made by Molymet Germany are used in a wide variety of industries such as:
Petrochemicals
Steel
Aviation
Electronics
Medicine
PRODUCTS
Molybdenum dioxide
Molybdenum metal powders
Molybdenum metal briquettes
One of Molymet Germany’s main strengths is that product properties can be adjusted to customer needs within a wide range of parameters.
INVESTMENT PLANS FOR 2021
Investments in 2021 included finalizing the new third production line for molybdenum metal powder. A new telecommunication system was also installed and automated process data recording has been implemented along with a maintenance management software. Finally some production equipment was partially replaced as necessary. The total cost of these projects was approximately
US$ 1.000.000.
COVID-19 SITUATION
During 2021 federal and state governments issued regulations regarding workplace hygiene standards. These standards were adapted several times during the year to best reflect the needs for the actual pandemic situation as it evolved. Molymet Germany has been observing and following these regulations strictly. Often Molymet Germany responded to changing situations faster than regulators.
Measures have still not been relaxed and, considering the fourth wave of infections in the fall, we believe it is necessary to adhere to precautions for now. In certain cases employees have been quarantined by order of the responsible authority. The company’s hygiene standards clearly helped prevent spread throughout the company. Operational continuity was not affected and all necessary functions could be performed throughout the whole year.
CERTIFICATIONS
MOLYMET Germany has the following certifications:
WORKFORCE
Number of Employees by Gender
Number of Employees by Nationality
Number of Employees by Age Group
Years of Service
Number of Persons with Disabilities
Henning Uhlenhut Plant Manager, Molymet Germany
KEY FIGURES
Plant capacity
1.800tons of molybdenum metal powder per year, including the new production line
The plant has
52employees
Molymet Belgium N.V.
Molymet Belgium, formerly Sadaci, is located in the port of Gante, Belgium. It has a roasting plant with an annual capacity of 35 million pounds of molybdenum, with briquette and ferro molybdenum plants. The company also has sampling facilities and a chemical analysis lab. The hot commissioning of the newly constructed PurOx plant has almost completely finished, enabling production to start in March 2022.
Thanks to its strategic location in central Europe, the company quickly reacts to changing market trends involving both products and production volumes. It also operates with high environmental standards. The three pillars of Molymet Belgium’s strategy are sustainability, growth and operational excellence.
MILESTONES 2021
Concentrate
For the first time, we successfully processed Kennecott’s low Mo grade concentrates (42%Mo) and Kadjaran concentrates.
Contract
We closed a new contract with Kennecott for 1 year with an option to extend for another year.
Contract
We signed our first-ever contract with Sumitomo.
Accident Rates
We had only 1 lost-time accident during 2021.
Action Plan
We performed a water audit and developed an action plan.
Energy
We implemented an energy management system and started yearly energy monitoring.
Product Stewardship
We fulfilled Korea REACH and UK REACH requirements for the MLM group.
Crystals
We produced the first ADM crystals in PurOx.
Windmill
Negotiations to build a windmill are nearly finished. The contract should be signed in January 2022.
MARKET
Our share of Kazakhs & Armenian concentrates is increasing. We closed a contract with Kennecott for the processing of 80% of their mine output and we closed our first-ever contract with Sumitomo.
Molymet Belgium’s home market for final products is the EU.
PRODUCTS
Molymet Belgium produces RMC, briquettes and FeMo. We are commissioning a plant to produce PurOx. At this plant we produced the first 24T of ADM crystals, an intermediate product. Byproducts: Rhenium concentrates and sulfuric acid 98%.
INVESTMENT PLANS FOR 2021
Regarding investments, practically all efforts were related to PurOx and getting the plant up and running. Other investments were reduced to a minimum, most of them being renewal investments:
New bulldozer for the FeMo production plant.
New set of filter candles in the mist filter to reduce further S03 emissions.
A Legionella disinfection treatment at the cooling water tower.
COVID-19 SITUATION
Until the fourth wave Molymet Belgium had no single employee contaminated at the plant. During the fourth wave we were able to limit the impact of the pandemic and operational continuity was never threatened and Molymet Belgium was able to serve all its customers. A crisis committee followed the situation on a continuous basis, implementing measures even beyond the legal requirements. A home office policy was jointly prepared with the workers unions and implemented. No worker suffered serious consequences. We reached a vaccination level of almost 95%, well above the average vaccination level in Belgium.
CERTIFICATIONS
for safety
for the environment
for safety
Energy Management System
WORKFORCE
Number of Employees by Gender
Number of Employees by Nationality
Number of Employees by Age Group
Years of Service
Number of Persons with Disabilities
Godfried Van Schuylenbergh General Manager, Molymet Belgium
KEY FIGURES
Profit for the year
US$ 6,34million
29% increase from 2020
Annual revenue from external customers
US$ 256,28million
Production
26,490million
pounds of molybdenum
