This lecture reviews global iodine production, recycling, and industrial applications. While Chile and Japan account for 90% of world production, Japan has established sustainable recycling technologies using high-temperature decomposition and electrodialysis. We discuss major traditional applications—including X-ray contrast media (22%), disinfectants (12%), polarizers (11%), catalysts (11%), and pharmaceuticals (10%)—alongside cutting-edge advancements such as perovskite solar cells, iodine transfer polymerization, and polyiodide-amylose complex antivirals.After the talk there will be an opportunity for questions and scientific exchange with pretzels and drinks, provided by JCF Hamburg.