Tin for Tomorrow Contributing to Global Sustainable Development Contributing to Global Sustainable Development Foreword Contributing to Global Sustainable Development Contents
Materials such as tin are increasingly assessed by consumers, investors 2 Foreword and legislators on the three aspects of sustainability - economic growth, 4 A Brief History of Tin contribution to society, and protection of the environment. 6 Uses of Tin Today
Recognising the importance of these through tax revenues and export earnings 8 Current and Future Global Tin Demand factors, the tin industry has initiated a and by supporting investment in transport 10 International Tin Producers long-term action plan which aims to and other infrastructure. Leading mines demonstrate the positive contributions and smelters are committed to corporate 12 Tin Production Methods and sustainability of tin. This report and social responsibility programmes and 15 Responsible Mining provides an introduction to the role of post-mining land rehabilitation. tin in the global economy, describing Recycling is also playing a growing role, 16 Projects and Progress its history, usage, production and future with more than 30% of tin use now potential. It also provides descriptions of a 17 Lead Free Solder accounted for by secondary refined series of projects in which the tin industry tin and alloys. Products containing tin 18 iTSCi (ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative) supports improvements in environmental contribute to quality of life, with a health, reductions in energy consumption 19 Chemical Stewardship number of existing and new applications and economic development in some of connected to health and energy-saving 20 Fuel Catalysts the poorest countries. benefits. 21 Tin has a Bright Future Tin production is connected with all three aspects of sustainability. Perhaps most 22 ITRI - Over 80 years experience in the tin industry importantly, mining activity provides a livelihood for many thousands of miners and associated workers and their families in developing countries, which account for some 98% of total world production. Mining can also stimulate development
2 3 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development
A Brief History of Tin Solders From the bronze age to the digital age 4500BC - 400AD 1921AD 2006 AD Romans soldered over First electric and mass produced Lead Free Solder 400km long water soldering iron for industry The Latin name for Tin is Stannum, from which its pipes chemical symbol Sn is derived. The English name, tin, finds its origin from a Germanic root. Tin plate
Tin has been in use since ancient From solder to tinplate, pewter times and it has played an important to electroplating, tin has become role in the history of the human race. an indispensable ingredient in Around 5,000 years ago, humans modern life. Nowadays, tin is a 1810 - 1813AD first began mining and incorporating very important element in the world 1805AD Peter Durand pioneered food tin with copper to create bronze economy and contributes to an ever Modern preservation with his patenting thus marking the beginning of the increasing number of products and electrochemistry of the tin can followed by the Bronze Age. Tin was used in bronze processes. was invented by opening of the first commercial implements because it provides an Italian chemist canning factory important hardening effect in copper. Luigi V. Brugnatelli The importance of tin grew rapidly Chemicals when the ancients understood its potential for making everything from tools, to weapons, and even jewellery. Tin artefacts have been found in an Egyptian tomb of the eighteenth dynasty which dates Around 3000BC humans 2200BC - 1500BC 1800AD 2000AD onwards around to 1580-1350 BC and it was first began mining and Bronze tools and weapons such Cornwall is a major producer of Tin Continued development of PVC traded around the Mediterranean incorporating tin with as axes, daggers, spearheads Stabilisers, Catalysts, Fire Retardants by the Phoenicians who obtained it copper to enable the and halberds produced and Biological applications from Spain, Brittany and Cornwall. Bronze Age With the development of solder, 2500BC 1580-1350 BC pewter and tin plating, tin became Tin trade routes and Tin artefacts found in an Alloys and coatings more and more in demand merchants established Egyptian tomb of the for thousands of essential and eighteenth dynasty innovative uses right through to the modern age. In the 19th century, Cornwall in the UK was the major producer of the metal, but then 1400AD 1953AD deposits were found in Australia, The Worshipful Company of Pilkington Brothers developed Bolivia and East Asia. Today China Pewterers controlled pewter the first successful commercial and Indonesia are the leading quality in England application for forming a producing countries, followed in continuous ribbon of glass using a importance by Peru. molten tin bath Tin is like a spice that many modern products cannot do without
4 5 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development Seat Cushions Plastics Glass Tin catalyst PVC stabilisers Conductive tin coatings
Uses of Tin Today Sealants Electronics Growing demand in a Tin catalyst Solders Fuses Contacts Battery sustainable economy Tin alloy addition
Radiator Tin is increasingly being used as a sustainable alternative Brass alloys Solder
to other materials and for innovative technologies. Fuel Tank Brake Pads Bearings Wiring Tin-zinc coating Tin additives Tin alloy addition Coatings Tinned copper Tin is a vital ingredient in a wide Tin chemicals are also used in range of manufacturing sectors, a huge number of everyday Tin found in cars including consumer goods, applications. The biggest use is packaging,construction, vehicles and of organic tin chemicals in PVC other forms of transport. for construction products such as doors and windows, to stop them The most important alloy degrading in heat and sunlight. compositions of tin are those The most important applications required to support the ever growing for inorganic tin chemicals are electronics sector, providing a Lithium Ion Solar Panels as catalysts for a wide range of wide range of highly specialised Batteries industrial processes, glass coatings, Fuel solders of higher or lower melting electroplating baths, fire retardants, Catalysts temperature, and physical properties Lead Free Solder Animal Health Care and in the ceramics and cement that allow all new product designs to industries. Energy conservation has be manufactured successfully. Solder become a major technological driver is necessary for conductive joints in and significant growth is expected in Food Can Mobile Phone Toothpaste almost every electronic product, and the use of tin catalysts for production Tin Coating Solder 0.3g tin the material also maintains its use of polyurethane foam thermal 3.2g tin 0.7g tin for traditional industrial applications insulation and in tin oxide coatings such as joining copper water pipes. for low emissivity ‘e-glass’, widely Tinplate (steel with a thin tin used in modern ‘green’ buildings. Tin – established markets Tin - New markets coating) is used in packaging for Other alloys of tin include bronze and food and beverages, for product brass, bearing metals, pewter and containers and various other items. even superconductors, each of which Tin coatings provide the essential might be found as components in a corrosion protection vital to these multitude of consumer and industrial applications and that, together with products. Tin is also essential for other benefits, allow this important the process of making float glass, method of food preservation to in which molten glass is floated on remain successful and favoured the surface of molten tin, thereby even in today’s competitive world of creating a sheet of uniform thickness modern packaging. and with a very flat surface. 115,100 177,100 67,000
49,400 With so many 25,000 aspects to tin use, 28,300 modern life would be impossible Packaging Consumer Durables Transport Construction Industrial Equipment Other without this versatile metal World refined tin use by industry sector, 2010 tonnages
6 7 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development 2% Growth Current and Future Sustainable Growth Forecast
Global Tin Demand 1990 2000 2010 World Tin Usage 400,000+ tonnes
370,000 tonnes
World tin consumption reached a peak of over 370,000 tonnes in 2007, powered by the rapid industrialisation of China, a global boom in consumer electronics and a rapid transition to the use of lead-free solders. 2007 2015 After the global financial crisis of The share of the market accounted Other than the temporary cyclical Following the trend over the last While the gradual continuing 2008-2009, Chinese consumption for by solders has declined from dip in 2009, global tin use in three decades, global tin use is transition to lead-free solders will has risen again to a new peak, but a peak of over 54% in 2007 to tinplate has been remarkably forecast to increase at a trend rate support future tin use in solders, in the rest of world demand has not a little under 52% in 2011. This stable at about 60,000 tpy in recent of just under 2% a year in the miniaturisation and changes in fully recovered. Asia now accounts reflects cyclical weakness in the years. The tin chemicals business next five to ten years. The size of assembly technologies will be for over two-thirds of global tin world electronics industry recently has been the strongest major the market is forecast to exceed a negative factor offsetting this. use, with China alone using more and also a trend towards products application in the last two years, 400,000 tpy from around 2015. Overall however, the development than 40%. China’s growth has been and assembly techniques involving and is estimated to have accounted of new tin applications such as export-driven, but rising domestic smaller quantities of solder. for over 15% of total refined tin use lithium-ion batteries, new stainless personal incomes and deteriorating for the first time in 2011. steel alloys and a range of energy- international competitiveness is related products should ensure a gradually changing the mix. healthy demand for the metal.
Long Term Changes by Application Main Technology Opportunities
Solder Tinplate Chemicals Other Lead-Free Electronics Lithium Ion Batteries 1970’s Stainless Steel TFS Conversion 27% 41% 5% 27% Niche Solder Opportunities Fuel Catalysts Fire Retardants 2011 Glass Coatings Catalysts
52% 17% 15% 16% 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000
Tin is set to create a whole new generation of stainless steel. Nippon Steel has launched a new more sustainable stainless steel grade that uses no nickel and less chromium. Tests show it is also more corrosion resistant and more formable.
8 9 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development
Leading Tin Producing Companies Production 2011 International Tin Producers 30 47 The leading tin companies 11 16 56 29 8 10 10 15 11 24 38 and countries 9 24 Refined Tin Production 19 Tin Mine Output World Tin Supply Major Producers 2011 (x 1,000 tonnes) Gejiu Zi-Li Metallo Chimique EM Vinto Yunnan Chengfeng Guangxi China Tin Thaisarco Minsur PT Timah MSC Group Yunnan Tin
Leading Tin Mining Countries 2011
Indonesia - 104,800 tonnes Russia China China - 101,900 tonnes Peru – 29,022 tonnes Syrymbet Bolivia – 20,373 tonnes 70% Gottesberg Geyer Cinovec of global mine output Brazil – 8,800 tonnes Santa Maria in recent years Australia – 5,134 tonnes Oropesa China Achmmach Yunnan Tin DR Congo – 5,000 tonnes has been the largest producer Abu Dabbab for the last seven years Myanmar Indonesia Major tin mine projects Nigeria Vietnam
Kuala Langat Malaysia China and Indonesia have long now subservient to the needs of the MSC Group Minsur Peru Rwanda histories as major tin producers, but manufacturing and leisure sectors. ITRI Tin Supply A major despite substantial reserves it may The two other countries that have Chain Initiative producer fully integrated not be possible for them to sustain figured at times as leading producers iTSCi is a traceability Burundi PT Timah upstream into mining Brazil output at recent rates. This means have been Brazil and Peru. Brazil and due diligence San Rafael Tailings Indonesia that additional supplies to meet briefly became the world’s largest system Democratic Mt Garnet future growth in demand will come producer in the late 1980s, while Bolivia Republic of from other parts of the world. The Peru became a significant supplier in the Congo Australia very large shares of world production the 1990s. those two countries now account for In recent years artisanal and have only been achieved since the small-scale mining has accounted Recycled tin on the rise 1990s. Rentails for as much as 60% of world Taking into account the re-use of recovered Mt Lindsay Up to the mid-1980s Malaysia, production, although this share tin alloys, notably solders, brass and bronzes Heemskirk Bolivia and (to a lesser extent) has now dropped to a little below and lead alloys, secondary materials Thailand were also major producers. 40%. The main centres of artisanal contribute over 30% of total tin use in any Tin recycling in different forms, 2010 For example, the cumulative mining have been Indonesia, China, 65,000 typical year. These alloys can be re-used tonnes production from Malaysia since Bolivia and Central Africa. However without the need for re-refining to pure tin. 44,000 1950, at over 2.45 million tonnes, is depletion of ore deposits, especially However there has also been recent growth tonnes 20,000 only slightly less than that of China onshore, is expected to result in a in secondary re-refined tin production which tonnes 10,000 (2.7 Mt) and Indonesia (2.6 Mt). continuing decline in Indonesian tonnes Top Four Companies Account for has exceeded 50,000 tonnes in each of the production, while Central African tin, The other million tonne plus 50% of World Production. Top Ten last five years, equivalent to around 16 - principally from DR Congo, has been producer has been Bolivia, with Companies Account for 75% of 17% of total refined metal production and Secondary Solder Bronze other experiencing political controls on the refined tin alloy /scrap alloy / scrap alloy / scrap 1.38 Mt since 1950. Bolivia remains World Production amounted to over 65,000 tonnes last year. trade in “conflict minerals”. a significant producer today, but in Malaysia and Thailand tin mining is Tin can be easily recycled with no loss of Currently 98% of global mine production occurs quality with secondary material refined to World Production high purity grades. Currently 98% of global in developing countries, providing livelihoods, mine production occurs in developing countries, export earnings and opportunities for future providing livelihoods, export earnings and opportunities for future infrastructural and other infrastructural and other forms of development. forms of development. 10 11 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development
Mine Output by Scale Tin Production Methods of Operation 2010 From mining to refining
62,200 12,000 8,400 12,500 5,200 8,100
Tin is produced from the mineral cassiterite (tin oxide, SnO2), a tin ore containing various impurities which are removed during concentration, smelting or refining. 37,500 83,600 33,800 11,800 2,100 11,300 Cassiterite occurs both in deep hard rock mines and in near surface alluvial deposits Indonesia China Peru Bolivia DR Congo Brazil ROW and can be mined relatively easily, using industrial methods or basic and simple tools. Unlike many other metals, mining of cassiterite is carried out by artisanal and (x 1,000 tonnes) Smaller Larger small mines (ASMs), as well as by larger scale producers. World Mine Production Hard-rock mining Alluvial mining Smelting and refining by Method Hard-rock underground mining is Tin alluvial deposits, where the Smelting is carried out to produce predominant in China, South America hard rock has already been broken a metal from its ore. The principle and Australia, although there are down and distributed by a natural of tin smelting is therefore the some open pit operations in all weathering, are also an important chemical reduction of tin oxide by these places. Vein and disseminated source. The main centre of alluvial heating with carbon to produce tin 16% tin deposits are mined by the mining has been the South East metal and carbon dioxide gas. In Suction Boats same methods used in hard-rock Asian tin belt. Until the mid-1980s, practice, the furnace feed contains mining of other non-ferrous ores the main method of mining large the tin oxide concentrate and any such as zinc. The ore is broken by placer tin deposits was by bucket remaining associated impurities, drilling and blasting, transported to ladder dredging. The alluvium carbon in the form of anthracite a concentrator where it is crushed containing the tin is excavated and coal or coke, and limestone or and ground and then concentrated transported by a continuous chain of similar material to act as a flux primarily by gravity methods. buckets to the interior of the dredge and a slag-producing agent. While where it is washed and roughly tin oxide is comparatively easy to Although flotation is not as efficient 56% 17% concentrated. In the last few years reduce by using carbon at high Underground Gravel Pump for tin ores as it is for sulphide ores, smaller cutter-suction dredges have temperatures this operation differs it is used increasingly to improve become widely used, which are from the smelting of most common the amount of fine tin recovered more manoeuvrable and produce a metals because retreatment of the and to recover tin from the residues higher grade concentrate on-board. slag is necessary to obtain efficient of earlier treatment. Processing metal recovery. Tin smelting can be circuits may also allow for the In South-East Asia particularly, 5% carried out in older type furnaces - Dredging recovery of by-products including smaller deposits, or those unsuitable reverberatory, blast, or electric - or in copper, lead, zinc and a range of for dredging (e.g. because the the newer Ausmelt process. 6% other minerals. In some mines tin is bedrock is very rough) are worked Open Pit itself a by-product of the mining of by gravel pumping. The alluvium Crude tin produced by smelting other metals, including zinc, silver, is broken up by a high pressure jet requires further refining. This is tantalum and tungsten. of water and the resulting slurry is mainly done by pyrometallurgical pumped to the concentrating plant. (fire) refining which produces tin In recent years there has been a of around 99.85% or 99.9% purity boom in small-scale alluvial mining suitable for general commercial use. in Indonesia, using simple gravel Occasionally electrolytic refining is pumps or off-shore suction boats used to produce a high grade tin of - floating platforms or converted anywhere up to 99.999% purity used fishing boats. in specialist applications.
12 13 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development
A wetland has been Responsible Mining established from old dredging grounds in Dengkil, Selangor. Employees, Communities This area can now boast of hosting and the Environment a vast array of fauna and flora.
The tin industry takes Sustainability and Corporate and Social Responsibility very seriously. It is as important to look after people and the planet, as it is to generate economic growth. All of the leading Tin producers have in place CSR and Sustainability programmes.
Tin Industry Community programmes Post-mining land rehabilitation The most important resource of IIn addition to employment, local Land reclamation and rehabilitation any company is its employees. communities benefit from a variety programmes are also initiated for A great deal of effort has gone of support services and assistance. long-term environmental stability into encouraging employees to This can include in the case of and economic post mining be at the forefront of ethical and Minsur sponsoring programmes likes land-use. While mining operations socially responsible behaviour, from ‘Mathematics For All’ and ”Useful have a significant impact on the education and implementation of Vacations” during the months natural environment, there is often best practices, to helping the local of January to March, directed at no long-term damage. Land is community at large. children of school age. In Indonesia returned to other uses such as fruit a Small Business and Cooperatives production, leisure activities and Heath and Safety also plays a critical Environment partnership program initiated by improving native bio diversity. role ensuring that the workforce PT Timah is concerned with the maintains safe systems of work, improvement of people’s lives and handling, storage and transportation finances. One of the main objectives Hospitals Housing of equipment and materials. Mining is to encourage business activity and smelting companies provide and economic growth of the local support facilities such as doctors community, in terms of sustainable and fire fighting teams as well as development through the expansion training, rigorous monitoring and of work and business opportunities continuous improvements. Education Rail
Mining
Case Study: Malaysia Leisure Communities The development of tin mining The tin mining industry was one Malaysia shows how the industry in in Malaysia helped develop the of the earliest to practice CSR in partnership with local communities, Roads country’s infrastructure. In Peninsular the country. The Tung Shin Hospital businesses and the government Malaysia many of the roads and in Kuala Lumpur, which began can build a sustainable economy by certainly the railway lines were as a clinic providing free medical embracing environmental and social Tin mining has many developed because of the need to services in 1881 was started with responsibility. positive impacts transport tin ore. More than two contributions from the tin mining thirds of mined out land has now community. Malay miners also been rehabilitated and transformed contributed to education in local into housing, resorts and golf communities as well as sponsoring courses, plantations and wetlands. employee scholarships.
14 15 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development Projects and Progress Lead Free Solder A tin technology solution
In the 1990s waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) was identified in Europe as one of three major waste streams causing issues with landfill space and hazardous waste disposal.
The result was the 2002 EU WEEE The move promoted a silent The need to understand materials Directive, setting policies for revolution for tin. Solder, the through the entire supply chain has increased recovery and recycling of essential glue that holds together hugely improved the availability and e-waste, and a co-ordinated strategy all of the electronics and electrical exchange of data within the industry. for the reduction of hazardous equipment that we depend on so For solders the technical transition substances in products through the much, changed significantly. The continues. Firstly lead-free parallel 2002 EU RoHS (Reduction 40% lead was removed and tin conversion has continued to spread of Hazardous Substances) Directive. content was increased from about well beyond its original driver of Requirements for use of lead-free 60% to about 95%. consumer goods waste disposal and soldering technology therefore arose, A huge amount of technical work is now even reaching sectors such and have since been replicated needed to be done. The new solders as automotive, aerospace, defence around the world. had higher melting point, different and medical applications. In China, At the same time Japan, also faced flow properties and made joints the largest market, recent legislation with serious landfill issues, and with different mechanical and will start to add further pressure to leading the world in many aspects electrical behaviour. ITRI and other the national solder market, currently of sustainability through voluntary industry bodies in Japan and the US using about 25% of the world’s tin. actions, became the birthplace of coordinated large R&D programmes Secondly, new second generation commercial lead-free soldering, to supplement implementation lead-free solders are being launched. launching the first mass-produced by companies and find the best These are more sustainable using product, a Panasonic MiniPlayer, in solution. less energy, and producing higher 1998. Combined with other developments strength joints for better reliability. such as design for recycling, halogen-free technologies and weight reduction the end result The tin industry working through ITRI has an active is a significantly improved level portfolio of joint projects working to develop of sustainability for all electronic products. new and emerging uses for tin. These projects contribute to an increased understanding of the key environmental, scientific, social and business issues interacting throughout the life cycle of the metal. 2012 Sustainability has become the focus of many new Today’s solders are 95% almost pure tin. developments in technology with industry currently Tin 2000 They will continue evaluating, for example, tin use in solar panels, 60% to connect our Tin longer life lithium batteries and fuel catalysts. world together tomorrow and for a long time to come.
16 17 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development iTSCi Chemical Stewardship (ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative) Protecting human health Capacity building and due and the environment COMMENTS ON iTSCi IN THE UN GROUP diligence in Central Africa OF EXPERTS REPORT S/2011/738 OF 2.12.2011 Tin has been used safely for many years, but responding to the increasing “In non-conflict areas, where companies consumer interest in understanding the exact science of the metals behaviour The iTSCi traceability and due diligence programme and other traders have exercised due diligence and introduced traceability in the environment and the human body, the industry has come together to has become especially important following the systems, mining sector governance has carry out new research. That work has included studying the benefits and introduction on July 21st 2010, of the US ‘conflict improved, and mineral production and export have risen.” behaviour of tin in food packaging materials, as well as responding to the minerals law’. “In areas where no traceability systems regulators needs for more extensive and wide ranging proof on the safety of have been introduced, mineral production and exports have fallen. This has not only all substances. The tin industry is unusual among iTSCi is a traceability and due decreased conflict financing, but also the mining sector in the high diligence system supporting weakened mining sector governance, proportion of the metal produced local Government mine agencies with a greater proportion of trade The EU REACH Regulation on The success of this joint programme The industry is committed to follow by locally owned companies, to control and benefit from the becoming criminalized and with continued the ‘Registration Evaluation and provides confidence to users, on from this recent activity to small-scale and artisanal miners. exploitation of their natural involvement by military and/or armed Authorisation of Chemicals’ consumers and regulators through support new chemical regulations in All producers understand the resources, as well as verification groups.” challenged the entire metal and the availability of a full scientific different regions as outlined in the importance of assisting in the through independent third party chemical sectors to prove the safety understanding of the behaviour and Strategic Approach to International formalisation and development of audits, field visits, document “The Initiative has also helped to build of their substances in all applications safety of the metal, and ensures the Chemicals Management (SAICM). these smaller groups. In 2008 the checking, data analysis and Democratic Republic of the Congo where they are used. market for tin in the EU. industry became aware of concerns risk management through local Government capacity in the mining sector, relating to the possible link between stakeholder committees. to safeguard the livelihoods of miners at The tin industry acted swiftly to form tin mining and conflict in certain tagged mining sites and, according to some a consortium of leading companies iTSCi has been operating across areas of the Democratic of Congo North Katanga civil society activists, to to fund an extensive programme of Rwanda and the Katanga Province (DRC), and acted immediately to reduce corruption among State officials in new scientific research on safe levels of the DRC since April 2011. The address the situation. the mining sector.” of tin in the environment, as well as project team have helped to the limited impact of tin on human A working group was formed in map the location and operational health. 2009. It undertook immediate circumstances in over 1,500 artisanal Mines and companies who actions to improve document or small scale mine areas, introduce are members of iTSCi and fully collection, and implemented a traceability, and ensure miners in participate in the tracking process practical system on the ground to those areas continue to have access for all mineral purchases will differentiate between ‘conflict’ and to international mineral markets be able to demonstrate to their ‘conflict-free’ mineral in what is and prices. Several hundred tonnes customers their implementation of recognised to be one of the most of mineral concentrate are tagged appropriate due diligence practices. challenging areas of the world. and exported each month, providing This involves two types of bar-coded Speed was critical to maintain the a living for around 45,000 miners, tags, each with unique reference livelihoods of miners in the central and benefiting associated workers numbers and clearly visible areas of African region, while providing involved in transportation and other allocation. Data is then fed into the confidence to tin users that services, as well as an estimated iTSCi database providing complete purchases are not contributing to 5 dependents for each of those traceability from mine to smelter. conflict. workers. Aside from the implementation The benefits arising from iTSCi will of iTSCi, leading producers helped increase progressively in the future Secure mining develop international guidance, such as plans to roll out the programme delivers market as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance in other parts of Central Africa are for Responsible Supply Chains of realised. confidence in Minerals from Conflict-Affected and investment and High-Risk Areas, for the re-assurance demand, credibility of their customers. and sustainability.
18 19 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development Fuel Catalysts Tin has a Bright Future Tin could save up to 10% of fuel consumption
A remarkable but little known fact about tin is Tin has established a long-term future as an that it can save energy and reduce emissions innovative, competitive and sustainable material. when added to fuel.
When added into a fuel tank or Tin fuel catalysts have now been The challenge now is to put a Solar Panels Lithium Ion Batteries a fuel-line tin is able to stabilise used in a variety of engines for more significant amount of new research Tin is ahead in the race for the Tin can make lithium ion batteries the fuel in such a way as to make than 20 years – cars, motorcycles, and development effort behind this next generation of cheaper solar last more than three times longer. engines burn cleaner and generate ships, generators and even boilers. technology to explain the interaction cell materials. Today solar cells This can help meet a huge demand more power. It is a so-called ‘fuel They have been tested by ITRI and between tin and fuel and to verify use expensive and rare elements for better batteries in mobile catalyst’. other laboratories with positive these remarkable effects. such as gallium and more ‘earth- phones, cameras, iPads and other results. Some of these tests have abundant’ materials are needed. mobile devices. A new market There is good reason to believe If confirmed it will put tin firmly on shown fuel savings of up to 10% Kesterite, containing 30% tin, for tin, this looks set to grow fast, that this tin technology could in fact the map as an important contributor and emissions reductions of 30% or was the first to cross the 10% especially if lithium ion batteries make a significant contribution to to the sustainability of tomorrow’s more. Field trials have shown similar efficiency barrier in an IBM research are used in hybrid cars. energy saving, reduction of urban world. performance. laboratory. pollution, and global sustainability. Animal Healthcare Fire Retardants Tin and zinc work well together Tin is replacing antimony fire to heal wounds and kill bacteria. retardants used in most plastics. A new range of animal healthcare Stopping fire and smoke saves products is being launched in the lives and tin has been shown to US, including pet and agricultural work well. Until now antimony treatments. The biggest new use trioxide has been widely used but may be in footbaths for treating more sustainable alternatives are hoof infections in dairy cattle. needed and zinc stannate use is growing fast.
20 21 Contributing to Global Sustainable Development ITRI Over 80 years experience in the tin industry
ITRI is the only organisation dedicated to supporting the tin industry and expanding tin use. A primary goal is to ensure an innovative, competitive, and sustainable supply chain and market for tin.
ITRI is the focal point for discussion The organisation has been able and action on important regional to adapt its role to meeting the and global issues affecting the tin rapidly changing requirements industry. It promotes the industry and dynamics of the tin market worldwide, providing authority, to ensure that the industry can leadership and voice. meet the sustainability demands of tomorrow’s world. Today ITRI continues to evaluate and act upon a wide range of market drivers and global technology trends including sustainability, climate change and energy efficiency, recycling and recovery, and nano-materials.
Members of ITRI are strongly committed to the concept of sustainability and are taking a leadership role in working towards a positive future for tin and those whose livelihoods depend upon it.
ITRI works on behalf of tin producers to ensure that key industry drivers are understood and that ITRI’s activities are correctly focused to support sustainable production and markets for tin.
22 23 Unit 3, Curo Park Tel: +44 (0) 1727 875 544 Frogmore Fax: +44 (0) 1727 871 341 St. Albans Email: [email protected] Hertfordshire Web: www.itri.co.uk AL2 2DD UK