Solid-state recrystallization (SSR) is proposed as a novel method of CdTe bulk crystal growth which allows one to overcome the difficulties met in the growth of the compound which result from the ionic character of the Cd-Te chemical bond. A three-step strategy for CdTe SSR growth is described where the production of CdTe provides a source for the subsequent growth by sublimation of polycrystalline boules which are finally submitted to SSR. The material obtained after each step is characterized electrically, optically and chemically. Large CdTe crystals showing good structural properties have been obtained from this SSR technique, which is demonstrated to be also convenient for the growth of CdZnTe crystals. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.