Substance Flow Analysis of Tantalum in Taiwan

Substance Flow Analysis (SFA) is mainly used to quantify ows and stocks of a particular substance distributed in a nite ecosystem. It can also be used to help decision-makers select the best strategy to implement resource allocation and management. This study focused on tantalum ow in Taiwan in 2013, speci cally as tantalum capacitors, powder, and waste products. Tantalum, a rare metal that has a lot of potential, especially in the electronics industry, is not locally produced in Taiwan; so an SFA is vital to monitor supply, demand, and accumulation. Best estimates were done in coordination with Taiwan companies and government agencies, namely: Ministry of Economic Affairs; Ministry of Finance; Customs Department; and Environmental Protection Administration. In 2013, Taiwan imported a total of 340,355 kg of tantalum; 84.5% of this remained in Taiwan either as electronic products or as raw materials, while the rest were exported.