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Indium Statistics and Information

By National Minerals Information Center

Statistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodity indium
 

Indium is produced mainly from residues generated during zinc ore processing.   It was named after the indigo line in its atomic spectrum.  The first large-scale application for indium was as a coating for bearings in high-performance aircraft engines during World War II.  Afterwards, production gradually increased as new uses were found in fusible alloys, solders, and electronics.  In the middle and late 1980's, the development of indium phosphide semiconductors and indium-tin-oxide thin films for Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) aroused much interest.  By 1992, the thin-film application had become the largest end use.  The amount of indium consumed is largely a function of worldwide LCD production.  Increased manufacturing efficiency and recycling (especially in Japan) maintain a balance between demand and supply.  The average indium price for 2000 was $188 per kilogram.

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