http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/tin/snmis0903.pdf

Following taken from the above link....

Tin Technology (Uxbridge, United Kingdom), the world’s
foremost tin research laboratory, announced that world tin
consumption increased by 6% in the first half of 2003,
compared to the same period in 2002. Annual consumption in
2003 is forecast to rise to 293,000 metric tons (t), while the
2004 total is forecast to top 300,000 t for the first time. These
estimates were presented to the Board of Tin Technology by
CRU International, Ltd. Several key points were made by CRU:


• Asia accounts for more than one-half of world demand
and is the most rapidly growing market in the world.
Consumption in Asia in the first half of 2003 increased
by 10% over that of the same period in 2002.

• As is the case for many metals, China accounts for
most of worldwide tin demand growth due to rising
local demand and the transfer of manufacturing activity
from elsewhere in the world.


• Tin consumption in Japan rose by almost 20% in the
first half of 2003, partly reflecting a switch to lead-free
soldering there. The use of high-tin, lead-free solders
will have a major positive impact on tin use as they are
adopted throughout the world in coming years.

• World tin consumption also will be stimulated by a
strengthening American economy, including some
recovery in the electronics sector.

Prices (average cents per pound):3        2002               Aug 2003     
Sept 2003
Metals Week composite4                     291.97             335.84          
   340.70


It is about "green" after all, however it is in the monetary sense of the 
word... ;-) 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Leadfee Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Leadfree
To temporarily stop delivery of Leadree for vacation breaks send: SET Leadfree NOMAIL
Search previous postings at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------