Rising demand combined with export restrictions: As in 2023, two technology metals – gallium and germanium – were increasingly the focus of reporting this year. China, the main producer of both raw materials, has further tightened regulations for exports abroad. For the first time, a country – the United States – was deliberately cut off from supplies. The reason for this is seen as the “chip war” between Washington and Beijing, as China is not supposed to gain access to the latest generation of computer chips. In turn, the raw materials required to manufacture the components are no longer being shipped from the People’s Republic to the U.S.
Data from the Chinese customs authority shows clear differences in export quantities and destination countries for both resources:
Gallium
54 tons of gallium have been exported from China so far in 2024, the largest quantities to Germany and Japan. At around 600 tons per year, the country is the most important producer of primary gallium – i.e., gallium that is not obtained through recycling or other processes but as a by-product in the production of industrial metals such as aluminum or zinc. The second most important importer in Europe is Slovakia.
Germanium
In 2024, market leader China has exported just over 22 tons of the technology metal so far. According to estimates, around 60 percent of global production comes from the People’s Republic. The metal is mainly extracted as a by-product of zinc mining. According to the customs authorities, China delivered the largest share of exports, almost nine tons, to Belgium. Germany followed as the second largest buyer with just over six tons.
Photo: D-Keine via Canva
