Indium (In): Uses, Supply Chain and Market
Facts checked against sources on . How we check facts.
Indium is recovered mostly from the zinc ore mineral sphalerite, and indium tin oxide coatings on flat-panel displays account for most of its consumption. In 2025 China produced an estimated 760 t, 69% of world refinery production (USGS world total: 1,100 t), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). US net import reliance for indium in 2025 was 100%. Indium is on the US, Australian and Canadian critical minerals lists.
69%
of world refinery production came from China in 2025
$370/kg
US warehouse, free on board in 2025 (+22% on 2024)
Which countries produce indium?
| Country | 2024 | 2025 (estimate) | Share of 2025 world |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 760 | 760 | 69% |
| Korea, Republic of | 180 | 180 | 16% |
| Japan | 65 | 65 | 5.9% |
| Canada | 40 | 40 | 3.6% |
| France | 21 | 21 | 1.9% |
| Belgium | 19 | 19 | 1.7% |
| Russia | 5 | 5 | 0.5% |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 1 | <0.1% |
| United States | None | None | - |
| World total (USGS, rounded) | 1,090 | 1,100 | 100% |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Indium. Shares are calculated from the country figures and can differ by a point or two from percentages USGS states in its text, because USGS rounds its figures. NA means not available; Withheld means USGS withheld the figure to avoid disclosing company data.
How is indium mined and processed?
Indium is most commonly recovered from the zinc-sulfide ore mineral sphalerite. The indium content of the zinc deposits it is recovered from ranges from less than 1 part per million to 100 parts per million. Full page on how indium is mined and processed.
What is indium used for?
USGS says there were no readily available end-use data for indium. US consumption of refined indium was an estimated 220 tons in 2025, based on import quantity.
- Indium tin oxide (ITO) coatings: most global consumption; electrically conductive thin films in flat-panel displays, most commonly liquid crystal displays
- Alloys, solders and compounds: including indium-based solder alloys used in some data-center electrical components
- Electrical components and semiconductors: indium phosphide (InP) substrates for lasers and receivers in 5G fiber-optic networks, and for photodetectors and laser diodes
- Research: listed by USGS as an end use
How much does indium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of indium at $370/kg (US warehouse, free on board; +22% on 2024). EarthRarest, our sister business, lists In min. 99.995% metal bar at $1,172.63/kg. Full indium price page.
Is indium a critical mineral?
Indium is on the US, Australian and Canadian critical minerals lists. Each government builds its list with its own method, so a mineral can be critical in one place and not in another.
| Jurisdiction | Status |
|---|---|
| United States | Critical mineral (final 2025 list) |
| European Union | Not listed |
| Australia | Critical minerals list |
| Canada | Critical |
Lists last checked against the primary publications on October 12, 2026. See the comparison of all four lists.
Export controls and trade measures
- China has required export licenses for indium since 2025 (USGS Table 4).
See the export controls tracker for dates and current status.
What are the substitutes for indium?
USGS names substitutes for 3 applications of indium, for example ITO coatings in liquid crystal displays: antimony tin oxide coatings; researchers have developed a more adhesive zinc oxide nanopowder. Full indium substitutes page.
Can indium be recycled?
Indium is most commonly recovered from ITO scrap in Japan and the Republic of Korea. Indium-containing scrap is recycled in the United States, but USGS has no data on the quantity.
What are the supply risks and recent events for indium?
- February 2025. China's Ministry of Commerce subjected several critical minerals, including indium, to new export restrictions. Asian Metal reported that exports of unwrought indium fell 72% year over year from September 2024 to September 2025.
- 2025. Fifth-generation (5G) technologies continued to increase demand for indium. USGS expects artificial intelligence to raise demand for specialized chip materials, including those made from indium phosphide.
US import sources, 2021 to 2024. Republic of Korea, 25%; Japan, 22%; China, 12%; Canada, 11%; and other, 30%. (USGS)
Which companies produce or process indium?
5 companies are profiled, including Yunnan Tin Company, Korea Zinc, Teck Resources. Full indium companies page.
Frequently asked questions
What is indium used for?
Indium is used in indium tin oxide (ITO) coatings, alloys, solders and compounds and electrical components and semiconductors. Indium tin oxide (ITO) coatings: most global consumption; electrically conductive thin films in flat-panel displays, most commonly liquid crystal displays.
Which country produces the most indium?
China produces the most indium: an estimated 760 t, or 69% of the world total, in 2025, according to the USGS refinery production figures.
Is indium a critical mineral?
Yes. Indium is on the US, Australian and Canadian critical minerals lists. Indium was already on the 2022 US list and stays on the final 2025 list of 60 minerals. US net import reliance for indium in 2025 was 100%.
How much does indium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of indium at $370/kg (US warehouse, free on board; +22% on 2024). EarthRarest, our sister business, lists In min. 99.995% metal bar at $1,172.63/kg (20 kg metal bar), read on October 14, 2026; a dealer list price covers one grade and pack size and is not a market benchmark.
Sources
Read on October 13, 2026. Figures on this page come from these documents; where a number is an estimate, the source says so.
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Indium. Production, reserves, uses, substitutes, recycling and events
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 7 and Figures 10A and 10B). Net import reliance, leading producer and price changes for critical minerals
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 4, export controls by country)
- Federal Register: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2024/1252
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Australia’s Critical Minerals List and Strategic Materials List
- Government of Canada: Canada’s critical minerals
- EarthRarest price list. Dealer list price, read October 14, 2026; our sister business
- Yunnan Tin Company: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (30 March 2026)
- Korea Zinc: product information
- Teck: other metals (indium and germanium)
- Nyrstar: Auby smelter
- Indium Corporation: company website
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