Market overview
The global tellurium market is worth USD 67 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 125 mn by 2036, growing at a 6.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Tellurium metal and ingot is the largest by form segment.
| Scope | Refined tellurium and tellurium compounds sold as metal, powder and high-purity forms for cadmium telluride solar panels, thermoelectrics, metallurgy additives, rubber and infrared devices. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 63 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 67 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 125 mn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 6.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 727 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 1,120 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 91,800 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Tellurium market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 67 mn |
| 2027 | USD 71 mn |
| 2028 | USD 76 mn |
| 2029 | USD 81 mn |
| 2030 | USD 86 mn |
| 2031 | USD 91 mn |
| 2032 | USD 97 mn |
| 2033 | USD 104 mn |
| 2034 | USD 111 mn |
| 2035 | USD 118 mn |
| 2036 | USD 125 mn |
Tellurium market segmentation
By form
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tellurium metal and ingot | 52.0% | 50.0% | USD 35 mn | 6.1% |
| High-purity tellurium (5N and above) | 26.0% | 30.1% | USD 17 mn | 8.1% |
| Tellurium dioxide and compounds | 14.0% | 12.8% | USD 9.3 mn | 5.6% |
| Tellurium powder | 8.0% | 7.0% | USD 5.3 mn | 5.1% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar (cadmium telluride) | 45.0% | 50.9% | USD 30 mn | 7.8% |
| Thermoelectric devices | 12.0% | 14.2% | USD 8.0 mn | 8.3% |
| Metallurgy and alloys | 20.0% | 14.8% | USD 13 mn | 3.3% |
| Chemicals and rubber | 9.0% | 6.3% | USD 6.0 mn | 2.8% |
| Electronics and infrared optics | 14.0% | 13.8% | USD 9.3 mn | 6.3% |
By purity
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four nines (4N) | 38.0% | 34.0% | USD 25 mn | 5.3% |
| Five nines (5N) | 34.0% | 34.0% | USD 23 mn | 6.5% |
| Six nines and above | 28.0% | 32.0% | USD 19 mn | 7.9% |
By source
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper anode slimes | 72.0% | 68.0% | USD 48 mn | 5.9% |
| Lead and gold refinery residues | 16.0% | 16.0% | USD 11 mn | 6.5% |
| Recycled CdTe modules | 12.0% | 16.0% | USD 8.0 mn | 9.6% |
By customer type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thin-film solar makers | 52.0% | 54.0% | USD 35 mn | 6.9% |
| Thermoelectric producers | 18.0% | 18.0% | USD 12 mn | 6.5% |
| Alloy and chemical firms | 16.0% | 14.0% | USD 11 mn | 5.1% |
| Infrared optics and research | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 9.3 mn | 6.5% |
Top 25 countries for tellurium by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 96.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 98.5%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 22 mn | 33.0% | USD 40 mn | 6.0% |
| 2 | China | USD 19 mn | 28.0% | USD 37 mn | 7.0% |
| 3 | Japan | USD 5.3 mn | 8.0% | USD 8.8 mn | 5.1% |
| 4 | Malaysia | USD 4.0 mn | 6.0% | USD 8.7 mn | 8.0% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 3.3 mn | 5.0% | USD 5.4 mn | 4.9% |
| 6 | India | USD 3.3 mn | 5.0% | USD 8.3 mn | 9.5% |
| 7 | Vietnam | USD 2.3 mn | 3.5% | USD 5.0 mn | 7.9% |
| 8 | South Korea | USD 2.0 mn | 3.0% | USD 3.3 mn | 5.0% |
| 9 | United Kingdom | USD 1.7 mn | 2.5% | USD 2.5 mn | 4.2% |
| 10 | Canada | USD 1.3 mn | 2.0% | USD 2.0 mn | 4.2% |
| 11 | Philippines | USD 0.29 mn | 0.4% | USD 0.56 mn | 6.7% |
| 12 | Poland | USD 0.25 mn | 0.4% | USD 0.48 mn | 6.8% |
| 13 | Sweden | USD 0.21 mn | 0.3% | USD 0.40 mn | 6.8% |
| 14 | Peru | USD 0.17 mn | 0.3% | USD 0.34 mn | 6.9% |
| 15 | Chile | USD 0.15 mn | 0.2% | USD 0.28 mn | 6.5% |
| 16 | Mexico | USD 0.12 mn | 0.2% | USD 0.24 mn | 7.1% |
| 17 | Taiwan | USD 0.11 mn | 0.2% | USD 0.20 mn | 6.5% |
| 18 | Thailand | USD 87 thousand | 0.1% | USD 0.16 mn | 6.5% |
| 19 | Israel | USD 73 thousand | 0.1% | USD 0.14 mn | 6.5% |
| 20 | Netherlands | USD 60 thousand | 0.09% | USD 0.11 mn | 6.5% |
| 21 | Belgium | USD 53 thousand | 0.08% | USD 0.10 mn | 6.5% |
| 22 | Australia | USD 40 thousand | 0.06% | USD 88 thousand | 8.2% |
| 23 | Switzerland | USD 33 thousand | 0.05% | USD 75 thousand | 8.5% |
| 24 | Brazil | USD 33 thousand | 0.05% | USD 63 thousand | 6.5% |
| 25 | Czech Republic | USD 27 thousand | 0.04% | USD 50 thousand | 6.5% |
| Rest of world | USD 0.97 mn | 1.4% | USD 1.7 mn | 6.0% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- 5N Plus
- Rio Tinto
- Umicore
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Asarco
- Vital Materials
- Zhuzhou Smelter Group
- Dowa Holdings
- Mitsubishi Materials
- KGHM
- Jiangxi Copper
- Teck Resources
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Indium Corporation
- American Elements
- PPM Pure Metals
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the tellurium market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by form, by end use, by purity, by source, by customer type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the tellurium market?
The global tellurium market is estimated at USD 63 mn in 2025 and USD 67 mn in 2026.
How fast will the tellurium market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 125 mn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 59 mn.
Which country is the largest market for tellurium?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 22 mn in 2026, 33.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 69.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 9.5% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which tellurium segment is largest?
In the by form split, Tellurium metal and ingot is the largest segment with 52.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading tellurium companies?
Global leaders include 5N Plus, Rio Tinto, Umicore.
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