Why you should invest in Tin
Technology
Tin, often referred to as the “glue” of the electronics industry, is indispensable in creating reliable electrical connections through solder. This unique property makes tin a cornerstone in various technologies driving the global shift towards renewable energy and electrification.
Diverse Applications Powering a Sustainable Future
Tin’s versatility extends across multiple sectors:
Electronics: Approximately 98% of tin used in electronics serves as solder, forming billions of connections in devices ranging from smartphones to advanced computing systems.
Renewable Energy: Tin-based solder is crucial in solar panel manufacturing and grid infrastructure, facilitating the integration of clean energy sources.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): EVs contain significantly more tin than conventional vehicles, primarily due to their complex electronic systems. For instance, Tesla’s Model Y incorporates about 2.1 kg of tin in its battery management systems alone.
Energy Storage: Tin plays a vital role in battery management systems and control electronics, essential for efficient energy storage solutions.
Advanced Computing and AI: Data centres supporting artificial intelligence require extensive electronic components, with each 10 MW facility necessitating approximately 2.5 tonnes of tin.
Telecommunications: The expansion of 5G networks demands significant tin-based solder, as 5G base stations require 40% more circuit boards than their 4G counterparts.
Surging Demand Amidst Supply Constraints
The International Tin Association projects that global refined tin consumption will rise from approximately 400 kilotonnes annually in 2025 to over 450-500 kilotonnes by 2030. This surge is driven by the accelerating adoption of clean energy technologies and the proliferation of electronic devices. However, the tin market faces significant challenges:
Supply Deficits: The market could experience a supply deficit of 13,000 tonnes by 2030 without additional investment in new mining projects.
Geographical Concentration: A substantial portion of tin production is concentrated in regions with high environmental, social, and governance risks, such as China, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
Limited New Projects: There are few tin projects in the development pipeline, with historic supply regions struggling to maintain volumes.
Visit Discovery Alert to learn more about the role of tin in the energy transition.
International Tin Association
Elementos Limited is a member of the International Tin Association. This organisation’s commitment to delivering excellence in tin research for global producers is second to none. We’re proud to be delivering on the future of tin alongside the ITA, with a focus on creating sustainable, responsible projects.
If you would like more information on the ITA or the tin market, feel free to view their tin 2030 report.
This information is not intended to be interpreted as investment advice. Please seek unbiased advice from a professional broker or financial adviser before making your decision to invest.