Dynamic Analysis Of Indium Flows And Stocks In China: 2000-2018

Indium is crucial for many emerging technologies and is deemed to be critical by many nations. China has been a leading producer of indium, accounting for 46% of global primary indium production from 2000 to 2018, and meanwhile it is becoming a main consumer of indium. This study used dynamic material flow analysis to quantify China's indium cycle from 2000 to 2018. The results showed that both the production and consumption grew significantly in that 18-year period. Even though China experienced inefficient recovery issues in the production stage, oversupply led to 3300 t of stockpiled refined indium during the period of 2000-2018. The trade flows showed that China has shifted from being a net exporter to a net importer of In-containing commodities because of the high reliance on imported indium tin oxide (ITO) targets. At the end of 2018, China's total in-use stocks of indium were 467 t, amounting to 0.34 g In/capita, which is about 34% of that of Europe and Australia. The discarded indium from end-of-life goods is 610 t in total, but the recycling was nonexistent. Our study offers detailed information on the evolution of the indium cycle in China. The results can serve as a foundation to derive recommendations for decision makers and hence improve resource security and efficiency.