Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Tellurium

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

Key Applications

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

• Cadmium telluride solar cells — Tellurium plays a vital role in cadmium telluride solar cells, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Thermoelectric devices — Tellurium plays a vital role in thermoelectric devices, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Rubber vulcanization — Tellurium plays a vital role in rubber vulcanization, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Bismuth telluride cooling — Tellurium plays a vital role in bismuth telluride cooling, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Steel and copper alloy additive — Tellurium plays a vital role in steel and copper alloy additive, 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 Tellurium is cadmium telluride solar cells, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is thermoelectric devices, 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 Tellurium in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of high and a supply risk rating of high, the demand trajectory for Tellurium 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.