Dynamic analysis of indium flows and stocks in China: 2000–2018

•Dynamic material flow analysis was employed to quantify indium cycle in China.•The average recovery of indium in the production stage was 20%.•China was a net importer of indium raw materials but an exporter of final products.•China's per capita in-use stock of indium was 0.34 g In/capita by 2018.•China's indium industry was unbalanced with a stockpiled refined indium of 3300 t.