ITRI releases global tin survey results

By  Paul Ploumis 04 Sep 2015  Last updated at  04:08:48 GMT

BRUSSELS (Scrap Monster): The recent survey conducted by the UK-based International Tin Research Institute (ITRI) indicates that recycled tin accounted for almost one-third of the global tin production during 2013. According to the survey, secondary tin metal produced from recycled materials constituted 30% of tin production during the year.

The ITRI news release states that responsible resource management has emerged out to be a serious concern for both end-users as well as consumers. The exact sources of tin and its uses must be correctly understood in order to bring forth improvements in efficient use of the resources and suggest improvements to promote responsible use of natural resources.

ITRI survey reiterates that recycling rates within the tin industry has continued to remain on the positive side. In fact, recycling rates have registered steady growth over the last decade with secondary metal accounting for 32% of the global tin usage in 2013. It also helped the association to verify tin use estimates and recycling rates based on actual consumption figures, noted Andrew Cooper, ITRI’s materials stewardship manager.

According to the survey, global usage of refined tin totaled 349,200 metric tons in 2013. Also, refined tin usage is estimated to grow by 3.5% year-on-year to 361,000 metric tons in 2014. Solder continues to remain as the world’s largest tin use sector constituting 49% of the global tin market. Growth in other markets has eaten into the share of solder market over the past several years. However, tonnages have reported significant growth from 2012 levels.

ITRI is a not for profit membership based organization limited by guarantee. It represents the tin industry and is supported by the world's most important tin producers and smelters. ITRI’s principal aim is to support and encourage the use of tin in existing and new applications.