Alan Davies, CE of Rio Tinto Diamonds & Minerals says Asian demand for borates will continue to grow strongly, after tripling in the first 10 years of this century. Mr Davies was speaking as the mining and minerals giant opened a new technology centre in China. Borates - the generic name for a large number of boron-containing oxoanions - are found in products such as high-tech glass used in flat screen TVs and laptops, fibreglass insulation and fertilizers. Borates could be essential in promoting higher standards of living and addressing energy and food shortages as China's economy enters a mid-cycle development, Davies said. Mr Davies was opening a US$4M Asia Technology Centre to serve the growing market for borates in Asia. Asia is the largest and fastest growing market for borates in the world, accounting for 50% of global demand.
