Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Bismuth

Bismuth (Bi) 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 Bismuth is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

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

• Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics — Bismuth plays a vital role in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Lead-free solders — Bismuth plays a vital role in lead-free solders, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Metallurgical additives — Bismuth plays a vital role in metallurgical additives, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Pigments and paints — Bismuth plays a vital role in pigments and paints, 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 Bismuth is pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is lead-free solders, 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 Bismuth in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of medium and a supply risk rating of medium, the demand trajectory for Bismuth 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. The European Union has similarly recognized its importance through inclusion on the EU Critical Raw Materials list. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization programs is expected to place additional pressure on existing supply chains.