World demand for tin will rise: Institute

World demand for tin will rise: Institute

JAKARTA (JP): The England-based International Tin Research
Institute Ltd. (ITRI) predicts that the demand for tin world-wide
will grow by 20,000 to 30,000 tons per annum within the next two
to three years.

Rod Bedder, Managing Director of ITRI, said in a release made
available to The Jakarta Post yesterday, that the growth will
primarily be supported by the prospective usage of lead-free
solders in the electronics industry.

"It is only a question of certification time before a switch
takes place. If a number of big users approve a high tin content
material, a very major step towards our growth target will be
achieved by this sector alone," Bedder said.

In addition, as reported by the latest edition of the Metal
Bulletin, Coca-Cola's desire to switch from aluminum to tin-
plated steel for beverage cans, partly for it's higher recycling
rate, serves as a good sign for future tin demand.

Last year's world tin consumption was estimated to reach
177,000 tons, indicating an increase of 2.9 percent from the
previous year's 172,000 tons. The growth was largely based on a
recovery in the United States and Europe and on robust demand in
South East Asia.

ITRI, which has conducted research and development into the
uses of tin for the past 70 years, was privatized earlier this
month as a result of a change in its funding mechanism.

The tin research center is now funded by major tin producing
companies, including PT Tambang Timah and PT Koba Tin of
Indonesia, Renison of Australia, Malaysian Mining Corporation,
Minsur S.A. of Peru and Somincor of Portugal. (rid)