Tellurium
Recovered as a trace element in copper-anode slimes, tellurium underpins cadmium-telluride (CdTe) thin-film modules that deliver the lowest levelised cost of electricity in hot, diffuse-light regions. First Solar’s locked-in offtake absorbs most incremental growth, while thermoelectric devices for space probes, free-machining steels and rubber accelerators round out smaller but resilient uses. With global output still < 600 t per year, recycling end-of-life CdTe glass is now central to long-term supply security.
Supply Dynamics
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US, Japan and Peru are the main slime refiners; copper maintenance shuts can tighten supply abruptly.
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First Solar’s long-term contracts pre-empt spot availability, pushing new PV entrants to secure feed early.
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Chinese refineries expand Te recovery, but export-licence policy remains an overhang.
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Panel-recycling plants ramp in the US/EU, expected to meet ≥ 20 % of Te needs by 2030.
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No primary Te mines exist. Production strictly follows copper-smelter throughput.
Demand Dynamics
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CdTe module build-rates set the marginal tonne; each GW needs ~70 t Te.
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Thermoelectric generators in deep-space and industrial waste-heat recovery add price-inelastic demand.
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Free-machining steel demand tracks auto and appliance output.
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Rubber-additive use follows tyre production but is slowly losing share to alternative accelerators.
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Few substitutes match CdTe’s high-temperature coefficient, keeping solar demand inelastic to price.