Germanium prices have tripled in five years, and they're surging again.
The first spike came from China's 2024 export curbs. The second, steeper one is drone-war demand, now pushing prices to a fresh high of 25,500 yuan per kg.
China controls 77% of global germanium supply, giving it direct leverage over a metal essential to drone optics, night vision, and chips.
Germanium prices have tripled in five years, and they're surging again.
The first spike came from China's 2024 export curbs. The second, steeper one is drone-war demand, now pushing prices to a fresh high of 25,500 yuan per kg.
China controls 77% of global germanium supply, giving it direct leverage over a metal essential to drone optics, night vision, and chips.
Great analysis on Germanium, explaining what it really takes to make pure germanium. Hint, it has little to do with βfinding β Germanium
https://t.co/HjgVwPN0AS
Taiwan Tech Insiders Warn Beijing's Germanium Squeeze Is Hitting Production
The supply disruptions reinforce the urgent need for the US and its allies to accelerate supply-chain decoupling and secure alternative sources of critical materials. Beijing's ability to weaponize shipments could prove devastating during a military conflict or allow China to slow Western semiconductor and AI infrastructure buildouts while its domestic AI companies and infrastructure projects close the gap.
πhttps://t.co/6703q8jMo9