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)