Global and Regional Gallium Recycling Potential and Opportunities: Based on Historical Material Flow Analysis

Gallium plays a critical role in high-tech industries but faces supply risks. Improving the efficiency of recycling and utilization of secondary resources has become the most reasonable approach to addressing this. This study employs historical material flow analysis (2000–2019) to evaluate global and regional gallium recycling potential. The results indicate that gallium recycling remains underdeveloped, with three key opportunities identified: recycling gallium from primary production, new scraps, and old scraps. During 2000–2019, the cumulative amounts available from these sources were 239,760 tons, 3464 tons, and 955 tons, respectively, yet their recovery rates remain as low as 1.74%, 27.28%, and 0.84%, respectively. Regional analysis shows that the recycling potential and opportunities of gallium varies significantly across China, America, the EU, Japan, and the rest of the world. Current recycling technologies have shown potential for efficiently recovering gallium, but their economic viability relies on economies of scale and policy incentives.