News Russia-Ukraine Conflict Could See Chip Material Prices Spike 600%

[Admin]

The semiconductor industry has been told to brace for conflict/sanctions which could affect the supplies of various important resources. During the 2014 Crimean crisis, neon prices, for example, rose by nearly 600%.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict Could See Chip Material Prices Spike 600% : Read more

 

[digitalgriffin]

Gotta do, what ya gotta do.

 

[King_V]

More concerning development relates to potential rare earth metal supply impacts. The clue to our concerns is in the name – they are rare, with China often the largest source.

No, they are not.

Are Rare Earth Elements Actually Rare?

Not if you're willing to dig for them.

foreignpolicy.com

So, are rare earth minerals actually rare?

Not really. The term "rare earth" is an archaic one, dating back to the elements’ discovery by a Swedish army lieutenant in 1787. In fact, most (though not all) of the 15 (or 16, or 17, depending on which scientist you’re talking to) elements are fairly common; several of them are more abundant in the Earth’s crust than lead or nitrogen.

 

[Krotow]

Interesting - after decades of neon lighting in US where all neon gone?

 

[Co BIY]

What is rare about the "rare earths" is the difficulty and complexity in processing them. It makes spinning up alternative sources complicated and economically more challenging.

Interesting - after decades of neon lighting in US where all neon gone?

That is an interesting question ! I suspect that "Semi-conductor grade" has a lot to do with the answer.