Supply-chain input · Material
Germanium
Metal used in infrared optics, fibre optics and some semiconductors.
Constraint
Why supply is constrained
USGS calls global germanium data limited but names China the leading producer and exporter of germanium metal; US net import reliance is above 50%. China licensed exports from August 2023 and banned exports to the US in December 2024 (suspended November 2025 to November 2026). Western supply comes from zinc-refinery by-products (Teck at Trail, Umicore recycling).
Producers2
Capacity and global share as reported; shares from different years and sources may not add up. Bars compare producers on this page only.
Dependencies
Upstream · needs · 0
No upstream inputs recorded.
This input
Germanium
Downstream · needed by · 1
Upstream: what this input is made from or processed with. Downstream: what is made from it.
Facilities2
| Facility | Owner | Kind | Location | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5N Plus St. George germanium substrate plant | 5N Plus | Factory | St. George, Utah, United States | Operating | Confirmed |
| Trail lead-zinc refinery | Teck Resources | Refinery | Trail, British Columbia, Canada | Operating | Confirmed |
- 5N PlusFactory · St. George, Utah, United StatesOperatingConfirmed
Trade controls2
- MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024China · Export ban · Dec 3, 2024Exports of germanium dual-use items to the United States denied in principle; Article 1 also bans all dual-use exports to US military users. Article 2 (this ban) suspended by MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025 from 2025-11-09 until 2026-11-27.
- MOFCOM/GAC Announcement No. 23 of 2023China · Export control · Aug 1, 2023Export licence requirement for germanium metal, zone-melted germanium ingots, germanium dioxide, germanium tetrachloride and related items.
News1
Sources6
Supply chain2
- 1Government recordDOD Awards $14.4 Million to Sustain and Enhance the Space Qualified Solar Cell Supply Chain
U.S. Department of Defense · Apr 16, 2024 · Supports Organization input
“an award of $14.4 million via the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program to 5N+ Semiconductors (5N Semi) to sustain and expand the capability to produce germanium substrates”
- 2CompanyGermanium
Teck Resources · Supports Input, Organization input
“Teck is one of the world's largest integrated germanium producers. Germanium-bearing concentrates are processed at our integrated lead/zinc refinery in Trail.”
Trade controls4
- 3Government record商务部公告2025年第72号
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China · Nov 9, 2025 · Supports Trade control
“经批准，自即日起至2026年11月27日，商务部公告2024年第46号…第二款暂停实施。”
- 4Government record商务部公告2024年第46号 关于加强相关两用物项对美国出口管制的公告
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China · Dec 3, 2024 · Supports Trade control
“二、原则上不予许可镓、锗、锑、超硬材料相关两用物项对美国出口；对石墨两用物项对美国出口，实施更严格的最终用户和最终用途审查。”
- 5Government record商务部 海关总署公告2023年第23号 关于对镓、锗相关物项实施出口管制的公告
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China · Jul 3, 2023 · Supports Trade control
“八、本公告自2023年8月1日起正式实施。”
- 6Government recordMineral Commodity Summaries 2025: Germanium
U.S. Geological Survey · Supports Input, Trade control
“China continued to be the leading global producer and exporter of germanium metal in 2024.”
Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.