China exported more germanium in August, according to the latest data from customs authorities. Compared with the previous month, volumes rose by more than 50 percent to 1,166 kilograms, though exports remain well below last year’s levels. The main destinations for the technology metal were Russia and Germany.
Chinese germanium exports over the last twelve months.
In contrast, gallium exports fell in August. Outbound shipments totaled 7,201 kilograms, down more than 20 percent from July.
Chinese gallium exports over the last twelve months.
Both gallium and germanium are critical raw materials for high-tech applications, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing, fiber-optic production, and optical technologies such as infrared systems. Since the summer of 2023, China has required export licenses for these metals. In December 2024, Beijing imposed an explicit export ban on both materials and several other critical resources to the United States. This move continues to reverberate across global supply chains.
Photo: rawmaterials.net