Tellurium Companies: Producers and Processors
Facts checked against sources on . How we check facts.
The companies below produce, process or use tellurium. Each row cites the document that says what the company does with the metal; the list is not exhaustive and is not a ranking.
78%
of world refinery production came from China in 2025
$120/kg
tellurium, annual average, United States in 2025 (+60% on 2024)
Which companies produce or process tellurium?
| Company | Country | Role | What the source says |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Solar | United States | Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar module maker, a user of tellurium (Nasdaq: FSLR) | Its 10-K lists the supply and price of "cadmium telluride, tellurium, and tellurium compounds" among its key raw material risks and says several key raw materials are single-sourced or come from a limited number of suppliers. First Solar, Form 10-K for 2025 (filed 24 February 2026) |
| 5N Plus | Canada | Maker of cadmium telluride and cadmium zinc telluride compounds (TSX: VNP) | Its website lists cadmium telluride (CdTe) and cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) among its products, which contain tellurium. 5N Plus: company website |
Each row links to the document that supports it. The list is not exhaustive and is not a ranking.
Frequently asked questions
What is tellurium used for?
Tellurium is used in solar power cells, thermoelectric devices and metallurgy. Solar power cells: 70% of estimated global consumption in 2025; cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film cells.
Which country produces the most tellurium?
China produces the most tellurium: an estimated 800 t, or 78% of the world total, in 2025, according to the USGS refinery production figures.
Is tellurium a critical mineral?
Yes. Tellurium is on the US, Australian and Canadian critical minerals lists. Tellurium was already on the 2022 US list and stays on the final 2025 list of 60 minerals. US net import reliance for tellurium in 2025 was more than 25%.
How much does tellurium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of tellurium at $120/kg (tellurium, annual average, United States; +60% on 2024).
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: Tellurium. 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
- 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
- First Solar, Form 10-K for 2025 (filed 24 February 2026)
- 5N Plus: company website
Related topics
Tellurium: full profile
Uses, producers, price, substitutes and critical list status for tellurium.
Tellurium price
The price page for tellurium.
China profile
Production, policy and projects in China.
Critical Minerals Lists Compared
The US, EU, Australian and Canadian lists side by side.
Export Controls and Restrictions
China, Indonesia, DR Congo and other measures with dates.
Gallium
Profile of gallium.
