Iodine: Overview
X-rays, screens and medicines: iodine's leading uses
X-rays, screens and medicines: iodine's leading uses What this tab covers What the commodity is used for, why, in what volumes and with what alternatives, and its chain from mine or field to end user. Also the latest price moves, top recent news, three things to know, and buttons into each tab.Key uses
| Use | Share | Annual volume | Why this commodity | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human health: X-ray contrast media, iodophor disinfectants and pharmaceuticals | 50% | about 19,000 t a year (indicative)basis | Iodine is heavy and strongly absorbs X-rays, so non-toxic organic iodine compounds injected into blood vessels make them visible in CT scans; this is the largest single use (USGS). Povidone-iodine kills bacteria, viruses and fungi on skin and wounds. Many drugs and thyroid treatments contain iodine. Roskill via PR Newswire, Apr 2013; SQM 4Q2025 results; USGS MCS 2026 | Gadolinium agents for MRI (different imaging method) Ultrasound contrast agents Chlorhexidine and alcohol disinfectants; antibiotics instead of iodine biocides (USGS) |
| Polarising film for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) | 13% | about 5,000 t a year (indicative)basis | Iodine-doped polyvinyl alcohol film polarises light efficiently and cheaply, which is how LCD screens control pixels. Demand rose from about 200 t in 2000 to 3,950 t in 2012 with flat-panel TVs and phones (Roskill). Roskill via PR Newswire, Apr 2013; USGS MCS 2026 | Dye-based polarisers (lower performance) OLED displays use less polariser film but still need some |
| Animal feed and human nutrition (iodised salt, supplements) | n/a | n/a basis | Iodine is an essential nutrient for thyroid hormones. Tiny doses in salt and feed prevent goitre and developmental harm. India had about 13 potassium iodate units supplying 518 salt iodisation plants in 2022 (IBM). There are no comparable substitutes (USGS). USGS MCS 2026; IBM Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022 | None for the nutrient itself (USGS) Seaweed and seafood in diets |
| Fluorochemicals and industrial catalysts (acetic acid, nylon heat stabilisers) | n/a | n/a basis | Iodine compounds are used to make some fluorinated chemicals and as catalysts and promoters, for example in acetic acid production. Copper iodide stabilises nylon against heat. These uses rely on iodine's reactivity at small doses. USGS MCS 2026; Roskill 2013 | Bromine or chlorine in some reactions and biocides (USGS: usually less desirable) |
| Biocides, inks, colorants and other uses | n/a | n/a basis | Iodine-based biocides protect wood, paints and water systems, and iodine appears in some inks and dyes. Here it competes directly with bromine and chlorine compounds. USGS MCS 2026 | Bromine and chlorine biocides (USGS) |
From mine to user
- 1. Resource Caliche nitrate deposits in Chile's Atacama, iodine-rich brines with gas in Japan, and deep brines in Oklahoma. Seawater holds about 90 billion t at 0.06 ppm (USGS).
- 2. Extraction Caliche is mined in shallow open pits and heap-leached; brines are pumped from gas or brine wells.
- 3. Recovery Iodide in the solution is oxidised to iodine, blown out with air or absorbed, then precipitated and melted or prilled to crude iodine.
- 4. Derivatives Producers and converters make potassium iodide and iodate, hydriodic acid and organic iodine compounds; Belgium (15.8%) and Japan (13.3%) rank second and third in world export value (Comtrade 2024).
- 5. Pharmaceutical and chemical manufacture Contrast-media makers (e.g. in Norway, which took 12.1% of import value in 2024), drug makers, film makers in East Asia and salt iodisers buy iodine.
- 6. End use Hospitals, screens, farms and households. World demand about 40,000 t expected in 2026 (SQM).
- 7. Recycling Some iodine is recovered from contrast-media waste and industrial streams; Roskill estimated about 5,000 t of secondary supply in 2012, two-thirds of it in Japan.
Price movement snapshot 2026-10-25
No public daily or monthly benchmark price for this commodity in the datasets used.
Reserve life 185 yrs reserves ÷ 2025 outputThree things to know
- Seawater holds only 0.06 ppm iodine, yet the oceans contain roughly 90 billion tons of it (USGS).
- Chile supplied 88% of US iodine imports between 2021 and 2024 (USGS).
- By 2010 China declared iodine deficiency eliminated in all but its remotest provinces, largely through iodised salt (Conway).
Top recent news snapshot 2026-10-25, last 30 days
- Iofina lowers H2 production guidance amid water supply issuesInvesting.com · 2026-10-16
- Iofina commissions IO12 iodine plant in Permian Basin By Investing.comInvesting.com Canada · 2026-10-16