By Ross Berntson, President and CEO of Indium Corporation
The electronics assembly and semiconductor packaging industries are at the forefront of innovation. However, the materials that drive this innovation, like gallium, are often overshadowed by the technologies they enable. At Indium Corporation, we believe that materials science holds the power to transform industries, and our recent collaboration with Rio Tinto on gallium extraction is proving just that.
Gallium is indispensable in next-generation electronics, offering high efficiency, thermal, and RF performance, as well as reliability. With global demand for advanced electronics steadily increasing, the ability to secure a reliable and scalable supply of gallium becomes a key driver for sustaining growth and innovation across the industry.
Gallium’s versatility positions it as a critical material for some of the most cutting-edge applications in electronics assembly and semiconductor markets, including:
- Power Electronics: Gallium Nitride (GaN) is revolutionizing power electronics by enabling devices to handle higher voltages and operate with greater efficiency. This makes GaN ideal for compact power delivery systems, such as those found in electric vehicles (EVs) and data centers.
- Thermal Management: Gallium-based thermal interface materials (TIMs) play a vital role in high-performance computing applications. Whether cooling AI processors or ensuring thermal stability in quantum computing devices, gallium alloys deliver the thermal conductivity required for reliable operation.
- Optoelectronics and RF Devices: GaN and other gallium compounds are integral to the performance of LEDs, high-frequency amplifiers, and 5G infrastructure, meeting the demands of modern telecommunications and consumer devices.
One of the significant outcomes of our collaboration with Rio Tinto is establishing a more resilient gallium supply chain. Gallium production globally is approximately 600 metric tons annually, and until now, North America has contributed no primary gallium since 1987.
Through our partnership, we aim to reintroduce North America as a key player, with plans to produce 40 metric tons of gallium annually, addressing five to 10 percent of global
demand. This will ensure that manufacturers in the electronics assembly and semiconductor industries have access to the materials they need, thereby reducing dependency on international sources and mitigating supply chain risks.
The versatile nature of gallium opens the door to extensive research and development opportunities. One such area is liquid metal technologies, where gallium alloys are heavily studied for their potential in advanced cooling systems and flexible electronic circuits. Indium Corporation’s efforts to develop a stable North American gallium supply contribute to expanding R&D initiatives, ensuring that the industry can continue to explore groundbreaking applications for this incredible material.
Challenges of the Extraction Process
Gallium extraction is an intricate and highly technical process. This is primarily due to its status as a companion element to aluminum in bauxite ore. Gallium shares several characteristics with aluminum, making separation an exceptional challenge.
At Indium Corporation, we developed a proprietary extraction process allowing the selective recovery of gallium ions. Using a capture-and-release system, we extract gallium efficiently while managing environmental impacts. What makes this process even more noteworthy is that it represents the first primary gallium extraction undertaken on North American soil in nearly four decades. Overcoming the complexities of gallium extraction positions our team as leaders in making critical minerals available as a cost-effective feed for advanced electronics.
Value of Regional Resources
The importance of regional mineral resources, like gallium, cannot be overstated for industries such as EVs, semiconductors, and telecommunications. While gallium has a robust secondary supply chain through recycled and reclaimed materials, this isn’t sufficient to meet the growing demand. Secondary sources can only last so long before primary materials become necessary to meet broader demand. This is where our work with Rio Tinto is pivotal—not just in safeguarding supply, but also in ensuring it’s done sustainably and responsibly.
By establishing a sustainable primary gallium source in North America, we are addressing this gap in the market. The ability to source critical materials regionally adds a layer of security, adds diversity in supply, and offers substantial logistical benefits for electronics assembly and semiconductor manufacturers.
Ross Berntson is the President and CEO of Indium Corporation, a premier materials refiner, smelter, manufacturer, and supplier to the global electronics, semiconductor, thin-film, and thermal management markets. For more information about Indium Corporation, visit www.indium.com.
