Indium : EU report highlights solar metals fear
A report by the EU's Joint Research Center (JRC) into the global supply of raw materials necessary for low carbon technology highlighted two metals used in PV cells – tellurium and gallium – as critically at risk of shortages and a third, indium, as medium-to-high risk, looking ahead to 2030.
China sits on large deposits
The fact China accounts for a significant portion of global tellurium supply and more than half of the other two metals – together with Peru and Bolivia's position as leaders in the supply of the raw materials from which indium is produced – add a potentially unstable geopolitical element to the EU's predictions.
The report's authors note that, although trade co-operation between nations is a promising way forward, the number of raw materials disputes lodged with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China indicate there may be trouble ahead.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/archive/2013/november/beitrag/eu-report-highlights-solar-metals-fear_100013337/#axzz2jqeKPmLE