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A beginner’s guide to tin: Price, uses & market overview
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On this page, we explore everything you need to know about tin. Gain insights into tin market trends, pricing mechanisms, and the environmental impact of tin.
Read on to learn more about this popular commodity and find links to beginner friendly guides explaining how you can get involved in tin.
What is tin?
Copy link to sectionTin is a base metal that has been used by humans for over 5,000 years. Originally used to make tools, weapons, and art, tin usage has evolved over time. Today the silvery white metal is used in various applications and industries including electronics and construction.
Its ability to resist corrosion and form strong alloys when combined with other metals makes it an ideal solution for interconnecting wires, circuits, bearings and soldering. Tins main use, however, is in tinplate, the thin protective layer coating steel in food cans, ensuring safety and longevity. Over half the global tin consumption goes into tinplating.
Tin market overview
Copy link to sectionWhile smaller than other base metals, the tin market is still vast and spans the world catering to many different industries. Around 400 kilotons are sourced and consumed worldwide each year.
The London Metals Exchange (LME) is the central commodity trading hub for tin, where futures set global pricing trends based on supply and demand dynamics. Tin mining takes place in several regions, although China, Indonesia, Peru, and Bolivia are the largest in the world.
For many years, there has been an oversupply of tin, but that has started to change recently. With reserves dropping and inflation rising, the price of tin reached $27,000 in 2022.
Is tin valuable?
Copy link to sectionYes, tin is a valuable commodity and there are numerous reasons why investors are attracted to the market. We have highlighted some of these key fundamentals below, explaining what they are and why they matter.
- Tin is crucial in electronics. Tins application for soldering and alloys is necessary to create circuits, electronics, and other components in the electronics industry. This includes devices like phones and computers, which makes tin a very valuable commodity.
- It protects other metals from corrosion. Steel food cans are coated in tinplate to guard against rust and other corrosion. Tins’ corrosive protection ability means it is used widely in the food industry – more specifically tinned/canned food.
- Global supply limitations. Among all the major metals, tin’s reserves are the smallest. There are new sources, however, they are very costly to operate and take years to develop. Ore concentration is also declining meaning more needs to be mined.
- Emerging technologies are starting to rely on tin. Tin is used in various applications and new tech like touch screens and photovoltaics use tin. This means demand in the future will always be there.
How to invest in tin
Copy link to sectionYou can invest in tin by using a commodity trading platform. These platforms offer a range of commodities and are very easy to use. There are different platforms suitable for specific requirements.
Some let you buy physical tin, others let you trade tin, and many are designed for investing in the grain. Visit our dedicated guide to discover how to invest in tin.
Tin in your investment portfolio
Copy link to sectionA diverse investment portfolio can help protect you during market uncertainty, and the inclusion of tin can add value while allowing you to spread your money across various markets.
Tin often moves independently to traditional investments like stocks and bonds. You can include tin in your portfolio as a hedge against potential losses. During times of economic uncertainty, investors view commodity grains such as tin as attractive options.
Tin vs other commodities
Copy link to sectionTin is part of the metals family of commodities, including gold, platinum, and palladium. Each commodity is unique in its own way and offers different features for investors and traders. You can learn more about specific precious metals using our dedicated guides below.
- Aluminium. Aluminium is a lightweight metal used in various global industries.
- Steel. Steel is integral in today’s world and is widely used in the construction industry.
- Platinum. Platinum is more expensive than gold on a weight-for-weight basis.
