The global molybdenum-99 market is poised to grow steadily, reaching an estimated value of USD 5.17 billion in 2025 and projected to expand to USD 7.74 billion by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period.
North America and Asia Pacific are emerging as key regional hubs due to their expanding nuclear medicine infrastructure and government-backed initiatives for domestic radioisotope production. The United States is anticipated to maintain its lead with the fastest CAGR of 4.9%, driven by strong diagnostic demand and robust support for LEU-based supply chains. Japan, South Korea, and the UK are also making strategic investments to reduce dependence on imports and aging reactor facilities.
Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) is a crucial precursor isotope used to generate technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is employed in over 80% of global nuclear medicine procedures. Tc-99m enables non-invasive imaging for conditions ranging from cardiac disease to cancer and neurological disorders.
Among all materials and applications, technetium-99m holds nearly 80% share of the market due to its irreplaceable role in SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) imaging. Carbon-free and cost-effective, SPECT imaging is often the first-line diagnostic method in cardiac stress testing, tumor detection, and brain scans.
Key drivers for market expansion include rising demand for nuclear diagnostics, increasing geriatric populations, and the prevalence of chronic diseases. Government agencies such as the DOE and NNSA in the U.S. are actively funding non-HEU, domestic Mo-99 production to ensure supply chain resilience. In addition, the global transition to low-enriched uranium (LEU) technologies, in line with non-proliferation objectives, is fostering the development of safer, more sustainable isotope manufacturing.
One of the most significant challenges lies in the heavy dependence on a limited number of aging nuclear reactors for Mo-99 production. This creates supply bottlenecks and risks related to maintenance outages and geopolitical disruptions.
However, advancements in accelerator-based and neutron capture production methods are expected to shift the industry toward more decentralized, scalable, and reactor-free alternatives, thereby mitigating these risks in the long run.
Looking forward, innovation is expected to play a major role in shaping the next decade of the Mo-99 market. Public-private partnerships invest in AI-integrated SPECT systems, automated isotope generators, and distributed manufacturing units.
These developments aim to support higher diagnostic throughput, improve clinical workflow efficiency, and enable local supply autonomy. As personalized medicine and precision diagnostics continue to evolve, Mo-99 will remain a cornerstone of the global radiopharmaceutical ecosystem.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 5.17 billion |
| Projected Market Size in 2035 | USD 7.74 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.6% |
The molybdenum-99 market is segmented by isotopic application, end user, and region. By isotopic application, the market includes SPECT and gamma camera modalities. In terms of end user, key segments encompass hospitals and diagnostic centers. By region, the market spans North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Middle East & Africa.
SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) imaging continues to be one of the primary applications in the molybdenum-99 market, largely due to its compatibility with technetium-99m, which is derived from Mo-99.
This modality is commonly used in nuclear medicine procedures for cardiac, bone, and cancer diagnostics. The technique supports dynamic imaging of physiological functions, aiding in early detection and disease monitoring. Healthcare systems are adopting hybrid platforms such as SPECT/CT, and Tc-99m remains widely accessible and cost-aligned for multiple clinical settings. The demand for functional imaging is expected to support SPECT’s usage throughout the forecast period.
| Isotopic Application | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| SPECT Imaging | 80% |
Hospitals represent a significant share of molybdenum-99 usage due to the integration of nuclear imaging into routine diagnostics and treatment planning. These institutions are equipped to perform procedures involving Tc-99m tracers, supporting use in cardiology, oncology, neurology, and orthopedic applications.
In addition to imaging, hospitals often participate in clinical research and educational programs that rely on Mo-99-based technologies. Diagnostic centers also contribute to market growth, especially in urban and semi-urban areas, although their infrastructure and tracer demand are generally scaled to outpatient throughput.
| End User | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Hospitals | 4.8% |
Challenges
Reactor Dependence and Supply Chain Vulnerability
The molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) market suffers challenges due to its dependence on old nuclear reactors, a significant portion of which are being decommissioned/ significantly requiring infrastructure upgrades. Much of global supply depends on a small number of producers, generating supply bottlenecks and geopolitical risks.
Due to the short half-life of Mo-99 (~66 hours), the transportation, distribution, and inventory of Mo-99 is challenging and can incur additional costs and waste in the event of delays. On top of all this, regulatory issues regarding nuclear waste, reactor safety and HEU (HEU) use continue to hold back growth.
Opportunities
Growth in Non-Reactor Production, Radiopharmaceutical Demand, and Technetium-99m Imaging
Mo-99 is still vital for creating Technetium-99m (Tc-99m)-used in almost 80% of all nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging examinations, especially cardiac, bone, and cancer diagnostics. Novel production techniques for Mo-99, such as accelerator-based and LEU (low enriched uranium)-based production (e.g. neutron capture, cyclotrons, linear accelerators) start to replace high neutron flux reactors.
The United States molybdenum-99 market is characterized by robust and sustained growth, supported by the increasing demand for other diagnostic imaging procedures type including SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography). Mo‐99 is necessary for production of Technetium‐99m (Tc‐99m) for use in over 80% of nuclear medicine diagnostic applications.
Growth is further fueled by efforts by the USA Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to develop domestic, non-HEU (highly enriched uranium) Mo-99 production capacities. It also hopes to scale production of its own isotope production reactors to give it autonomy over their supply.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 4.9% |
With growth in nuclear medicine procedures driven chiefly by the NHS, particularly in the fields of oncology and cardiology diagnostics, the UK Molybdenum-99 market continues to show healthy growth. The UK is not a domestic producer of Mo-99, but strong links with European suppliers and the planned investment in radiopharmaceutical infrastructure are contributing to the advancement of supply security. Rapid adoption of SPECT/CT technologies and increasing need for reliable isotope availability is to drive the market significantly.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| UK | 4.4% |
Countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and France are also some of the leading producers and suppliers of this isotope in the world, making the EU Molybdenum-99 market a strong one. EU enjoys mature nuclear medicine infrastructure along with government-backed initiatives for modernizing isotope production with low-enriched uranium (LEU).
As reactors are continuously modernized and investments in alternate production techniques like accelerator-based Mo-99 are made, supply reliability and medical isotope shortages are expected to improve.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| EU | 4.3% |
The molybdenum-99 market in Japan is growing, driven by increasing demand for nuclear imaging in the diagnosis of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Japan had historically relied on imported sources for Mo-99, but is seeking domestic supply solutions through use of LEU and accelerators.
Market stability is supported by government support for the expansion of nuclear medicine and the effort to reduce dependence on aging reactors. And the proliferation of private imaging centers, as well as hospital nuclear medicine departments, is driving demand.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 4.6% |
The molybdenum-99 market of South Korea is increasing steadily, underpinned by a robust nuclear tech foundation and governmental moves to advance the radiopharmaceutical market. The country is making investments in domestic Mo-99 production capabilities to reduce reliance on imports and increase supply security. The rise in the prevalence of lifestyle diseases in an older population with more of a focus on oncology and a strong healthcare infrastructure is bolstering demand for diagnostic imaging.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 4.5% |
| Report Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Total Market Size (2025) | USD 5.17 billion |
| Projected Market Size (2035) | USD 7.74 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.6% |
| Base Year for Estimation | 2024 |
| Historical Period | 2020 to 2024 |
| Projections Period | 2025 to 2035 |
| Market Analysis Parameters | Revenue in USD billion/ Volume in curies |
| By Isotopic Application | SPECT and Gamma Camera |
| By End User | Hospitals and Diagnostic Centers |
| Regions Covered | North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle East & Africa |
| Countries Covered | United States, Japan, Germany, India, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, Australia, Spain, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland |
| Key Players | Curium Company, Eckert & Ziegler Holding Company, Shine Medical Technologies, NTP Radioisotopes SOC Ltd., North Star Medical Radioisotopes LLC, JSC Isotope, ANSTO, Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc., IRE ELiT, Niowave Inc. |
| Additional Attributes | Dollar sales by value, market share analysis by region, country-wise analysis |
| Customization and Pricing | Available upon request |
Table 1: Global Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Region, 2018 to 2033
Table 2: Global Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Type, 2018 to 2033
Table 3: Global Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Application, 2018 to 2033
Table 4: North America Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Country, 2018 to 2033
Table 5: North America Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Type, 2018 to 2033
Table 6: North America Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Application, 2018 to 2033
Table 7: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Country, 2018 to 2033
Table 8: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Type, 2018 to 2033
Table 9: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Application, 2018 to 2033
Table 10: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Country, 2018 to 2033
Table 11: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Type, 2018 to 2033
Table 12: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Application, 2018 to 2033
Table 13: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Country, 2018 to 2033
Table 14: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Type, 2018 to 2033
Table 15: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Application, 2018 to 2033
Table 16: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Country, 2018 to 2033
Table 17: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Type, 2018 to 2033
Table 18: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Application, 2018 to 2033
Table 19: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Country, 2018 to 2033
Table 20: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Type, 2018 to 2033
Table 21: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Application, 2018 to 2033
Table 22: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Country, 2018 to 2033
Table 23: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Type, 2018 to 2033
Table 24: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) Forecast by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 1: Global Market Value (US$ Million) by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 2: Global Market Value (US$ Million) by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 3: Global Market Value (US$ Million) by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 4: Global Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Region, 2018 to 2033
Figure 5: Global Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 6: Global Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 7: Global Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Type, 2018 to 2033
Figure 8: Global Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 9: Global Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 10: Global Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 11: Global Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 12: Global Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 13: Global Market Attractiveness by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 14: Global Market Attractiveness by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 15: Global Market Attractiveness by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 16: North America Market Value (US$ Million) by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 17: North America Market Value (US$ Million) by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 18: North America Market Value (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 19: North America Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Country, 2018 to 2033
Figure 20: North America Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 21: North America Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 22: North America Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Type, 2018 to 2033
Figure 23: North America Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 24: North America Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 25: North America Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 26: North America Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 27: North America Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 28: North America Market Attractiveness by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 29: North America Market Attractiveness by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 30: North America Market Attractiveness by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 31: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 32: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 33: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 34: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Country, 2018 to 2033
Figure 35: Latin America Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 36: Latin America Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 37: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Type, 2018 to 2033
Figure 38: Latin America Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 39: Latin America Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 40: Latin America Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 41: Latin America Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 42: Latin America Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 43: Latin America Market Attractiveness by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 44: Latin America Market Attractiveness by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 45: Latin America Market Attractiveness by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 46: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 47: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 48: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 49: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Country, 2018 to 2033
Figure 50: Europe Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 51: Europe Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 52: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Type, 2018 to 2033
Figure 53: Europe Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 54: Europe Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 55: Europe Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 56: Europe Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 57: Europe Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 58: Europe Market Attractiveness by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 59: Europe Market Attractiveness by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 60: Europe Market Attractiveness by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 61: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 62: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 63: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 64: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Country, 2018 to 2033
Figure 65: South Asia Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 66: South Asia Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 67: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Type, 2018 to 2033
Figure 68: South Asia Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 69: South Asia Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 70: South Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 71: South Asia Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 72: South Asia Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 73: South Asia Market Attractiveness by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 74: South Asia Market Attractiveness by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 75: South Asia Market Attractiveness by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 76: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 77: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 78: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 79: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Country, 2018 to 2033
Figure 80: East Asia Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 81: East Asia Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 82: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Type, 2018 to 2033
Figure 83: East Asia Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 84: East Asia Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 85: East Asia Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 86: East Asia Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 87: East Asia Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 88: East Asia Market Attractiveness by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 89: East Asia Market Attractiveness by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 90: East Asia Market Attractiveness by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 91: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 92: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 93: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 94: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Country, 2018 to 2033
Figure 95: Oceania Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 96: Oceania Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 97: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Type, 2018 to 2033
Figure 98: Oceania Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 99: Oceania Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 100: Oceania Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 101: Oceania Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 102: Oceania Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 103: Oceania Market Attractiveness by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 104: Oceania Market Attractiveness by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 105: Oceania Market Attractiveness by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 106: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 107: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 108: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 109: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Country, 2018 to 2033
Figure 110: MEA Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 111: MEA Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 112: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Type, 2018 to 2033
Figure 113: MEA Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 114: MEA Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 115: MEA Market Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Application, 2018 to 2033
Figure 116: MEA Market Value Share (%) and BPS Analysis by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 117: MEA Market Y-o-Y Growth (%) Projections by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 118: MEA Market Attractiveness by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 119: MEA Market Attractiveness by Application, 2023 to 2033
Figure 120: MEA Market Attractiveness by Country, 2023 to 2033
The overall market size for molybdenum-99 market was USD 5.17 billion in 2025.
The molybdenum-99 market is expected to reach USD 7.74 billion in 2035.
Rising demand for medical imaging procedures, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and growing use of Mo-99 in diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals will drive market growth.
The top 5 countries which drives the development of molybdenum-99 market are USA, European Union, Japan, South Korea and UK.
SPECT imaging expected to grow to command significant share over the assessment period.
Molybdenum-99 Market
Thank you!
You will receive an email from our Business Development Manager. Please be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folder too.
