An understanding of the material flow of any resource is key to understanding how that resource may be used most efficiently. Both the interactions in the supply-use-recovery loop and the actual quantity of material involved in each use sector is important information which will allow us to ensure; safe use, reduced emissions and waste, and improved rates of recycling.


Having the latest material flow and market data available will allow us, through this comprehensive understanding of the current status of the tin industry, to effectively promote and represent all stakeholders in the tin supply chain in any dealings with regulators and other groups in all sustainability matters.

We aim to generate a comprehensive overview of the following:

Tin Production
Detailed statistics on tin production have been generated by ITRI for many years. This work is continually supported by our Statistics and Market Studies group.

Tin Use
While general information on the uses of tin is available, there has been in recent times a severe lack of data on the relative market size of each of those uses in each region. ITRI has taken the initiative to undertake an Annual Industry Survey since 2005 which aims at collecting detailed statistics and critical information on tin usage patterns in different applications. This is a unique global study which achieves participation of a large number (nearly 50%) of all downstream users of tin worldwide.

Tin Recycling 
Tin can be, and is, recycled, both back to pure tin ingot and, in even larger quantities, in the form of tin based or other alloys. No firm data currently exists on the quantities of tin recycled per year and ITRI is also focusing on work to determine the true recycling rates of the metal.


* Our 2009 Global Tin Use and Recycling Survey will start shortly in April 2009. By participating, your company will receive a summary of tin use reports generated by November 2009. Moreover, you will receive a privilege of 10% discount for the Tin Annual Review 2010 – a potential saving of several hundred pounds!

If you have any questions about the project or wish to discuss it further, please do not hesitate to contact Andrew Cooper at the direct telephone: +44 (0)1727 871 305 or email: andrew.cooper@itri.co.uk