Antimony is a chemical element with atomic number 51 and symbol Sb (stibium), positioned in the periodic table alongside metalloids such as lead (Pb), tin (Sn), silicon (Si), arsenic (As) and boron (B). It is primarily sourced from China, mainly in the form of the sulfidic mineral stibnite.
As a metalloid, antimony combines metallic and non-metallic properties, making it a highly versatile element. Its earliest recorded use dates back to biblical times, when it was used as kohl (cosmetic) in ancient Egypt and Southern Asia. Since then, numerous additional forms and applications of antimony have been developed.
Technical Resource
i2a represents producers, importers and distributors of ten antimony substances, including:
- Antimony Metal – mainly used as an alloying element in lead (Pb) applications, including lead-acid batteries
- Diantimony Trioxide –used as a synergist for halogenated flame retardants and as a catalyst for PET resin
- Antimony sulfide –used in brake pads and as a primer in ammunition
- Diantimony Tris(ethylene glycolate) –used in the catalysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin
- Antimony Trichloride –used as an intermediate in the production of other antimony substances
- Diantimony Pentoxide –used as a synergist for halogenated flame retardants
- Sodium Antimonate –used in the production of high-technology glass
- Antimony Pentachloride –used in the catalysis of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
- Sodium Hexahydroxoantimonate –used in the production of high-technology glass
- Potassium Hexahydroxoantimonate –used in fireworks
Global antimony resources were estimated at 5 million tonnes in 2011 (Bio Intelligence Service, 2015). In 2016, the US Geological Survey estimated global antimony reserves at 2 million tonnes, with around 80% concentrated in China, Russia and Bolivia (USGS, 2016).
Annual global antimony mine production is approximately 175,500 tonnes (BGS, 2015), most of which is produced in China. Antimony is also obtained as a co- or by-product of gold, lead, copper and zinc production.
Although used in relatively small quantities, antimony plays a critical enabling role in many applications essential to modern society (see Figure 1), including:
- Flame-retardant textiles and plastics (43 million tonnes in 2015; PlasticsEurope, 2016), contributing significantly to fire safety
- PET resin for bottles and lightweight, recyclable food packaging (27.8 million tonnes in 2015; PlasticsInsights, 2016)
- Polyester textiles for fashion, domestic, automotive, IT and industrial applications
- Lead-acid batteries, the most cost-effective rechargeable batteries (demand of 478 million kVAh in 2014; PR Newswire, 2016)
- Lead-based alloys for construction materials, ammunition, weights, solders, pewters, fusible alloys and radiation shielding
- High-purity flat glass, including photovoltaic glass (580 million m² consumed globally in 2015; Globe Newswire, 2017), supporting sustainable energy solutions
These examples illustrate how small amounts of antimony enable the performance of products that are indispensable to society.