Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Arsenic

Arsenic (As) is a medium-criticality specialty metal with a diverse range of industrial and technological applications. As global demand for advanced materials intensifies, understanding where and how Arsenic is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Arsenic span multiple sectors, each contributing to its classification as a critical material. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Semiconductors (gallium arsenide) — Arsenic plays a vital role in semiconductors (gallium arsenide), where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Wood preservatives — Arsenic plays a vital role in wood preservatives, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Pesticides and herbicides — Arsenic plays a vital role in pesticides and herbicides, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Lead-acid batteries — Arsenic plays a vital role in lead-acid batteries, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Sector Breakdown

The largest consuming sector for Arsenic is semiconductors (gallium arsenide), which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is wood preservatives, which has shown strong growth in recent years driven by technology adoption and regulatory requirements. Emerging applications across clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing are expected to expand the demand profile for Arsenic in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of medium and a supply risk rating of medium, the demand trajectory for Arsenic is closely monitored by governments and industry analysts. Its inclusion on the USGS critical minerals list underscores the strategic importance of securing stable supply for domestic industries. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization programs is expected to place additional pressure on existing supply chains.