The supply of gallium and germanium raw materials could become scarcer due to the threat of export restrictions in China. However, the Frankfurt-based industrial trader is able to deliver.
TRADIUM GmbH, one of the most renowned suppliers of raw materials and metals in Europe, offers the processing industry a reliable supply of the two critical raw materials Gallium and Germanium on. The export restrictions announced by China could have an impact on the export of metals as early as August and tighten supply worldwide. However, TRADIUM has full stocks and guarantees prompt supplies to industrial customers.
Supply chains from China could break off
The People's Republic of China is the largest exporter of the two technology metals, which are used for the production of microchips, solar cells and lasers, among other things. Last year, Chinese mines produced 540 tonnes of gallium and 70 tonnes of germanium. According to plans by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, exporters of both metals will have to apply for licences from 1 August 2023. It is not yet clear according to which criteria and how quickly an export licence will be issued, meaning that existing supply chains will have to be fundamentally called into question. The export restrictions could also be extended to other metals. China has a veritable monopoly on raw materials. In addition to the technology metals gallium, germanium and indium, the People's Republic also dominates the mining and processing of the Rare earths.
Matthias Rüth, Managing Director of raw materials supplier TRADIUM GmbH, says: "Many companies are wondering whether their supply chains for raw materials will remain resilient if Chinese exporters have to go through a licensing process from August this year. Industrial customers without sufficient physical stocks of the necessary materials may therefore face supply bottlenecks."
Stocks well filled with strategic metals
TRADIUM offers security of supply despite a possible shortage of raw materials. Thanks to long-standing business relationships with producers and forward-looking raw material procurement, the supplier has large stocks of technology metals and rare earth elements. The company holds large quantities of selected raw materials in its own high-security warehouse in Frankfurt am Main.
The following raw materials, among others, are in stock:
- Technology metals such as gallium, germanium, hafnium, indium, rhenium
- Precious metals such as gold, iridium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, silver
- Rare earths in oxide form such as dysprosium, neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, yttrium
The ISO-certified company offers detailed product specifications for each raw material and its processed products, so that supply and demand can be quickly matched. Delivery can be made promptly within a few days. TRADIUM also takes care of the storage of industrial materials for the processing company.
In addition to strategic metals, TRADIUM also provides the latest news on the commodities markets. The Commodities blog for the private customer sector provides information on developments in the raw materials market and new applications for critical raw materials. In addition, the company publishes monthly Price charts for strategic metals. TRADIUM also supports the news portal Rawmaterials.netwhich provides daily updates on rare earths, technology metals and precious metals.
