Other critical minerals
Germanium (Ge)
Fibre optics, infrared optics, satellite solar cells, semiconductors.
Open in the explorer- Atomic number
- 32
- Period · group
- 4 · 14
- Block
- p-block
Why it is critical
By-product of zinc refining and coal fly ash; supply is concentrated and export-controlled.
Who trades germanium
$425 m of germanium products crossed borders in 2024: chemicals $425 m.
Largest exporters
- 1China$167 m39%
- 2Japan$59 m14%
- 3United States of America$40 m9%
- 4Canada$32 m8%
- 5United Kingdom$31 m7%
- 6France$25 m6%
- 7South Africa$17 m4%
- 8Australia$14 m3%
Largest importers
- 1United States of America$57 m14%
- 2Germany$55 m13%
- 3South Korea$50 m12%
- 4Japan$43 m10%
- 5India$36 m8%
- 6France$31 m7%
- 7Thailand$18 m4%
- 8Netherlands$15 m4%
Trade values in current US dollars (ores, concentrates, intermediates, chemicals and refined metal), not prices. * Includes HS codes that also cover other products. Source: CEPII BACI (HS22), Etalab Open Licence 2.0 — details.