The IT industry has been told to brace itself for a potential shortage in rare metals if hardware vendors continue to rely on such precious materials as gallium, hafnium and indium.

IT disposal firm Sims Recycling Solutions claims the use of these metals in chips, semiconductors and LCD screens will lead to a widespread shortage in just a matter of years, citing figures released by the University of York, which claim the three precious metals will run out within the next decade if no action is taken.

Myles Pilkington, chief marketing officer at Sims Recycling Solutions, said “The exhaustion of finite resources is a tangible concern that will affect everyone. Finding alternative solutions to some of the rarer materials and promoting the reuse of equipment and components are good places to start.”