The International Tin Association (ITA) is pleased to publish the results from a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) quantifying the environmental impacts associated with the production of refined tin.
The updated study represents the second industry-wide LCA undertaken by ITA and was completed with 100% participation from ITA member companies, collectively representing approximately 51% of global refined tin production. Using 2024 as the reference year, the study updates the industry’s previous 2018/2019 baseline and provides the most comprehensive and globally representative refined tin environmental profile published by ITA to date.
The LCA was undertaken by renowned consultancy Sphera Solutions Inc in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, the study calculated the average global industry impacts associated with the production of 1 tonne of refined tin metal (99.95%), covering mining, recycled material, mineral processing or beneficiation, smelting and refining. The environmental impact categories considered as part of the updated assessment included Global Warming Potential (GWP), Primary Energy Demand (PED), blue water consumption (BWC), Eutrophication Potential (EP), Acidification Potential (AP) and Photochemical Ozone Formation (POF).
The study provides insight into the processes and inputs contributing most to potential environmental impacts across the industry, helping ITA members and stakeholders better understand environmental performance and identify key areas of impact. The updated baseline also better reflects current technologies, operational practices and supply chain conditions.
The results provide industry-average environmental data that can support downstream tin users and other stakeholders in undertaking their own LCA calculations and assessing the environmental impacts associated with the use of refined tin. The findings will also help inform future priorities, strategy and decision-making as part of the broader Tin Industry Low-Carbon Transition Roadmap, supporting the development of more actionable and coordinated long-term approaches to the tin industry’s transition towards a lower-carbon future.
To download the latest report- https://mailchi.mp/7d5f36fc3780/ita-lca-summary-report-2026
