A rare, strategic metal
Indium is at the heart of ITO (indium tin oxide), the transparent conductive layer inside touchscreens, LCDs and solar cells. As digital technologies grow, demand stays high.
Bachelor’s thesis · Fashion Management · Istituto Marangoni · 2025/2026
Abstract
In short
What if the gold on a zip, a button or a clasp lasted longer, thanks to a metal recovered from old phone screens?
My thesis explores a circular economy startup that recovers indium from discarded displays using inactive bacterial biomass, turning it into a ready-to-use solution that makes the gold finish of fashion hardware more durable.
It tests whether the business can be commercially viable, analysing target customers, value proposition, market conditions, competitors and revenue model.
The conclusion: in sustainable fashion, success depends less on generic green claims and more on measurable value for customers, built through partnerships and gradual scaling.
Why indium
The problem
A fragile supply
Indium isn’t mined on its own: it comes mostly as a by-product of zinc refining, is concentrated in Asia, and is exposed to price volatility and geopolitical pressure.
Lost in our drawers
Every year, huge volumes of old phones and screens become e-waste with their indium still inside. Post-consumer recycling of this metal is still underdeveloped.
The BioMine process
Discover the process
Value proposition
The value
- Performance
- Traceability
- Supply security
For B2B partners: a stable, traceable, circular source
A ready-to-use indium solution that reduces exposure to price volatility and geopolitical risk, while making gold coatings more durable in electroplating processes.
For the final customer: accessories that stay beautiful
Gold finishes that fade less and resist wear for longer, with a more responsible material origin, without changing the product’s design.
Let’s talk about it
Want to know more?
This page is just a window on my thesis. The full research goes much deeper: write me a few lines and I’ll be happy to discuss it with you.
What you can ask me about
- The key playersdisplay waste, bacteria and fashion hardware
- How it worksevery step of the BioMine process and the final product
- The opportunitymarket gaps, competitors and positioning
- Who it is fortarget customers and buyer personas
- The roadmapfive-year financial plan and break-even
- The full presentationthe slides of my thesis discussion