Tracing the global tin flow network: highly concentrated production and consumption

Abstract

Tin is closely associated with daily life and scientific and technological development, being widely applied in electronic products (e.g., computers, mobile phones) and high-end manufacturing, but the sustainability of tin resources has aroused global concern. To understand the global tin trade and its implications, a material flow analysis framework is established in this study, to analyze the tin flow among countries during 1999–2018. Tin production is concentrated in nine countries, which account for more than 90% of global tin production; while tin consumption is concentrated in ten countries, which account for some 80% of total tin consumption. In addition, the level of economic development measured in GDP/capita, is found to be highly correlated with the role of a country in the global tin trade. The countries with low per capita GDP are usually principal tin producers and suppliers; while eight of the world's top ten refined tin consumers (accounting for about 70% of global consumption) are those with high per capita GDP. In addition, a significant correlation between refined tin consumption and GDP per capita is observed in developing countries, but this correlation weakens in developed countries. This study not only fills the data gap in global tin flow but also provides a reference and basis for tin resource decision making and for follow-up research on tin material flow.