WHAT IS IT?
Tin (Sn) is a silvery, malleable metal with a low melting point (232°C) and excellent corrosion resistance. It is one of the scarcer LME metals, with global production around 350,000–400,000 tonnes per year — roughly 10× less than copper.
KEY USES
Solder (primary use ~50%): Tin-silver-copper alloys for joining electronic circuits. Every PCB (printed circuit board), smartphone, and computer uses tin solder. Growing with electronics manufacturing boom.
Tinplate (food packaging ~15%): Thin steel sheet coated with tin. Food and beverage cans. Non-toxic, corrosion resistant.
Specialty chemicals: Tin-based catalysts, stabilisers for PVC
Lead-free initiatives have increased tin demand in solder (replacing lead-tin solder)
THE SUPPLY CONCENTRATION RISK
Production highly concentrated:
China (~40% of global output)
Indonesia (~20%) — KLTM (Kuala Lumpur Tin Market) and INATIN are key exchanges
Myanmar (~15%) — Wa State mines, partially sanctioned
Peru, Brazil, Bolivia
Indonesia's tin miners sell exclusively through Indonesian exchanges (KLTM or Indonesia Commodity and Derivatives Exchange), making it one of the more opaque major metals markets.
ELECTRONICS LINK
Tin demand is highly correlated with global electronics production. When smartphone and PC shipments boom, tin prices rise. Tin is also used in semiconductor packaging.
TRADE CORRIDORS
Major exporters: Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Peru
Major buyers: Japan, South Korea, China, Europe, USA (electronics manufacturing hubs)
Tetra relevance: Southeast Asia supply chain. South Korea and Japan are major electronics manufacturers consuming significant tin.
PRICING BASIS
Benchmark: LME Tin (USD/MT). One of the most volatile LME metals due to supply concentration.
SPECIFICATIONS (LME Grade)
Tin: min 99.85%
Lead: max 0.05%
Standard form: ingots, bars