Electronics · Sphalerite ((Zn,Fe)S)
Germanium
Infrared optics for thermal sights and missile seekers, fibre optics, and substrates for satellite solar cells.
- 59%
- of EU imports of unwrought germanium from outside the EU came from China in August 2026
- 2
- sites watched from orbit on OreOrbit
- 27 Nov
- next deadline: China's suspended ban on gallium, germanium and antimony exports to the US is due to resume
Where it is made
Share of world output held by the leading country at each stage. Sources: USGS, IEA.
What Europe imports
In August 2026, the EU imported €5.2 m of unwrought germanium from outside the EU, 59% of it from China.
China everywhere else outside the EU. Monthly value of EU imports, Unwrought germanium. Source: Eurostat Comext.
Why it matters for Europe
Belgium's Umicore is one of the largest germanium producers and recyclers outside China. China banned germanium exports to the US in December 2024; that ban is suspended until 27 November 2026.
Key figures
- −55% change in China's germanium metal exports in January–August 2024 against a year earlier, after licensing began in August 2023 USGS MCS 2025
- >50% of Umicore's germanium supply comes from recycled material Umicore, March 2025
Sites on the atlas
- Umicore OlenProcessing plant, Belgium
- KipushiMine, DR Congo
Coming up
- China's suspended ban on gallium, germanium and antimony exports to the US is due to resume Pillsbury
- China's extended trade arrangements with the US run out RAWMATERIALS.net
Options for Europe
- EU strategic projects: GePETO (Belgium, processing), ReGAIN (Belgium, substitution)
- Recycling meets 2% of EU demand today, against the EU's 25% goal for 2030.
Recent news
- Rare earth export controls: China confirms extension of trade arrangements with U.S.RAWMATERIALS.net, 28 Sep 2026 · checked against the source
Stories marked “found automatically” come from the GDELT news database and were not checked; open the source before quoting.