Top 10 Companies in the Tellurium (Te) Granule for Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Thin Film Solar Cell Market (2026): Market Leaders Powering Global Adoption

MARKET INSIGHTS

Global Tellurium (Te) Granule for Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Thin Film Solar Cell Market size was valued at USD 312.4 million in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 338.6 million in 2026 to USD 694.8 million by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period.

Tellurium granules serve as a critical raw material in the production of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film solar cells, which represent one of the most commercially viable and cost‑effective photovoltaic technologies available today. High‑purity tellurium granules – typically refined to 99.99% or greater purity – are alloyed with cadmium to form the CdTe semiconductor absorber layer, enabling efficient light‑to‑electricity conversion. CdTe thin film technology is recognized for its strong performance in real‑world conditions, including high‑temperature and diffuse‑light environments, making it a preferred choice for utility‑scale solar installations.

The market is gaining significant momentum driven by accelerating global solar energy deployment, supportive government policies, and the ongoing transition away from fossil fuels. First Solar, Inc., the world’s leading CdTe thin film solar panel manufacturer, continues to expand its manufacturing capacity, directly driving demand for high‑purity tellurium granules. Furthermore, tellurium supply dynamics remain a key market consideration, as the element is primarily recovered as a by‑product of copper refining, making supply inherently constrained. Key producers operating in this space include 5N Plus Inc., Umicore S.A., and Vital Materials Co., Ltd.

🔟 1. First Solar, Inc.

Headquarters: Tempe, Arizona, USA
Key Offering: CdTe thin‑film solar modules, manufacturing equipment, and R&D services

First Solar is the world’s leading manufacturer of CdTe thin‑film photovoltaic modules, supplying more than 80% of global CdTe capacity. The company operates multiple gigawatt‑scale production facilities in the United States, Mexico, and Vietnam, enabling it to secure a substantial share of high‑purity tellurium granule demand.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Expansion of U.S. manufacturing under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to increase domestic content
• Investment in advanced deposition technologies to improve cell efficiency beyond 20%
• Commitment to circular economy through module take‑back and recycling programs

9️⃣ 2. 5N Plus Inc.

Headquarters: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Key Offering: Ultra‑high‑purity tellurium granules (5N–6N), semiconductor‑grade materials, and downstream processing

5N Plus specializes in producing solar‑grade tellurium granules with purity levels of 99.999% and above. Its state‑of‑the‑art vacuum distillation and zone‑refining facilities enable precise control over impurity levels, making its products highly sought after by CdTe module manufacturers.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Development of green refining processes to reduce energy consumption
• Partnerships with First Solar to secure long‑term supply agreements
• Expansion of recycling capabilities to recover tellurium from end‑of‑life modules

8️⃣ 3. Umicore N.V.

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Specialty metals refining, solar‑grade tellurium, and advanced materials

Umicore’s integrated refining and recycling operations provide high‑purity tellurium granules as well as other critical metals for the semiconductor and renewable energy sectors. The company’s focus on traceability and ESG compliance positions it as a trusted supplier.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Carbon‑neutral refining processes across European facilities
• Investment in digital traceability platforms for critical minerals
• Collaboration with European solar manufacturers to meet stringent purity requirements

7️⃣ 4. Vital Materials Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: Primary tellurium recovery from copper anode slimes, solar‑grade granules, and downstream processing

Vital Materials operates one of the largest tellurium refining plants in China, providing a stable supply of high‑purity tellurium granules to global CdTe manufacturers.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Implementation of low‑emission refining technologies
• Expansion of capacity to meet rising global demand
• Participation in international circular economy initiatives for module recycling

6️⃣ 5. Nyrstar NV

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium / Netherlands
Key Offering: Integrated copper and tellurium refining, solar‑grade products

Nyrstar’s copper smelting operations produce significant amounts of tellurium as a by‑product, which the company further refines into high‑purity granules for the solar industry.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Energy‑efficient smelting and refining processes
• Strategic partnerships with European solar manufacturers
• Investment in recycling and secondary feedstock sourcing

5️⃣ 6. American Elements

Headquarters: San Jose, California, USA
Key Offering: Specialty metals, including high‑purity tellurium, and critical mineral solutions

American Elements supplies high‑purity tellurium granules and offers customized packaging and traceability services to support CdTe module production.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Carbon‑neutral supply chain initiatives
• Collaboration with U.S. manufacturers to meet domestic content requirements
• Development of recycling programs for tellurium recovery

4️⃣ 7. Asahi Holdings, Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Specialty metals refining, high‑purity tellurium, and advanced material solutions

Asahi Holdings provides high‑purity tellurium granules with strict quality controls, catering to both domestic and international CdTe manufacturers.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Implementation of low‑emission refining technologies
• Support for Japan’s renewable energy targets
• Partnerships with Japanese solar developers for traceability

3️⃣ 8. Mitsubishi Materials Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Specialty metals, including solar‑grade tellurium and advanced composites

Mitsubishi Materials delivers high‑purity tellurium granules and offers comprehensive support for CdTe module manufacturers, emphasizing quality and supply reliability.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Energy‑efficient production processes
• Commitment to ESG reporting and traceability
• Collaboration with global solar players for circular economy projects

2️⃣ 9. Chengdu Haiphong Tellurium Industry Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Chengdu, China
Key Offering: Primary tellurium recovery, solar‑grade granules, and downstream processing

Chengdu Haiphong specializes in recovering tellurium from copper anode slimes and refining it into high‑purity granules for CdTe manufacturers.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Adoption of cleaner refining technologies
• Expansion of capacity to support growing demand
• Participation in recycling initiatives to enhance circularity

1️⃣ 10. Yunnan Chihong Zinc & Germanium Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Kunming, China
Key Offering: Primary tellurium recovery, solar‑grade granules, and specialty metal solutions

Yunnan Chihong provides high‑purity tellurium granules sourced from copper refining, supporting CdTe module manufacturers worldwide.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Implementation of low‑emission refining processes
• Collaboration with Chinese solar manufacturers for domestic supply
• Investment in recycling programs for secondary feedstock

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Market Outlook

With the global push towards renewable energy, the CdTe thin‑film segment is expected to grow at a steady pace, supported by increasing utility‑scale solar deployments and favorable policy frameworks such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. Demand for high‑purity tellurium granules will continue to rise, driven by First Solar’s expansion and the broader adoption of CdTe modules in regions like North America, Europe, and Asia‑Pacific.

Future Trends

• Continued improvement in CdTe cell efficiencies beyond 22% through advanced deposition techniques
• Expansion of recycling programs to recover over 90% of tellurium from end‑of‑life modules
• Geographic diversification of tellurium supply chains to reduce reliance on Chinese copper refining
• Emergence of bifacial and tandem CdTe modules, increasing per‑watt tellurium consumption
• Greater emphasis on ESG compliance and traceability in the critical minerals supply chain