Germanium Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Germanium Tetrachloride, High-Purity GeO2, Germanium Ingot and Others), By Application (IR Optics, Fiber Optics, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Electronic and Solar and Others) and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2031

Updated On: 15 April 2024

GERMANIUM MARKET REPORT OVERVIEW

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The global germanium market size was USD 266.8 million in 2022 and the market declined to USD 258.78 million by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of -0.6% during the forecast period.

Germanium is a rare, silver-white metalloid that is found in tiny amounts in ores and coal. It is a semiconductor. It has numerous uses in fiber optics and electronics. With an atomic number of 32, germanium, sometimes referred to as Ge, is a chemical element that belongs to period 4 of the periodic table. It is a silvery-white, rigid, brittle semimetal with a carbon group. Its physical properties are similar to those of silicon (silicium) and tin (stannum). It is largely used in the electronics industry and possesses exceptional semiconductor properties while being a poor conductor of electricity. The burgeoning electronics sector, rising investments in renewable energy, rising investments in network infrastructure, and other factors are driving the germanium market.

COVID-19 Impact: Disruptions in the Chemical Industry Slowed Down the Market Growth

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Chemical production has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic, among other industries.2020 saw the germanium market grow slowly as a result of a drop in demand and a supply shortage brought on by the global non-operational nature of several sectors. Government lockdown measures intended to halt the virus's spread are mostly to blame for this. Furthermore, the pandemic scenario has hindered germanium manufacturing, which is creating a large imbalance between supply and demand.

LATEST TRENDS

"Exceeding Demand for Solar Cells to Build Up the Market Growth"

One of the most important uses for germanium tetrafluoride is in solar cells, a chemical compound that is used to create exceptionally effective solar cells. Global demand for solar cells is rising as a result of the growing need for renewable energy sources, and this need is expected to drive the growth of the germanium market over the projected period. For example, data from the India Brand Equity Foundation indicates that India aims to have built 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with solar energy accounting for an estimated 280 GW of that total. In an effort to boost solar panel production in Europe, SolarPower Europe introduced a new platform in May 2020 dubbed Solar Manufacturing Accelerator. For the duration of the projection period, this is therefore anticipated to present a profitable opportunity for market expansion.

GERMANIUM MARKET SEGMENTATION

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• By Type

Based on type the global market can be categorized into germanium tetrachloride, high-purity geo2, germanium ingot and others.

The Germanium Tetrachloride category is anticipated to have a significant market share throughout the projection period, depending on the kind. Due to the growing need for germanium (Ge) tetrachloride in the semiconductor manufacturing process, the global market is anticipated to rise significantly over the forecast period. Germanium semiconductors are utilized in integrated circuits, solar cells, and LED drivers, among other uses. Over the next seven years, it is expected that the growing demand for these devices across a variety of end-use sectors would propel overall market expansion. A mineral called GeO2 is found in conjunction with other minerals including SiO2 and Al2SiO8. It is chemically represented as (Ga) 2 O4. GeO2 finds extensive use in several processes such as glass production, rubber processing, and petroleum refining.

• By Application

Based on application the global market can be categorized into IR optics, fiber optics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), electronic and solar and others.

Throughout the forecast period, the electronics and solar segment is anticipated to lead the market based on application. Over the course of the forecast period, fiber optic applications are anticipated to develop at a profitable pace due to the growing demand for optical fiber cables from the telecom and data transmission and storage sectors. Over the next few years, development is anticipated to be driven by increased broadband connection numbers across various countries and growing internet usage. The increased demand from the defense sector in 2017 contributed significantly to the share of the IR optics application category. Germany, China, and Russia are among the top producers of GeO2.

DRIVING FACTORS

"Growing Demand from Electronics Industry to Electrify the Market Growth"

The electronics industry, which uses a lot of Germanium, is expected to drive the global Germanium market. In electronics, germanium is used by diodes, transistors, and rectifiers to perform most tube-related functions as well as other functions that tubes cannot perform. Transistors and germanium are lighter, smaller, and less expensive than their tube counterparts. Because they don't require heat or a hot filament to function, they consume a lot less electricity. Their almost infinite lifespan and resilience to stress have contributed to their advancement, which can be attributed in part to the much-heralded technological revolution. As a result, during the projected period, this is anticipated to propel the growth of the global germanium market.

"Numerous Applications and Majority Utilization to Contribute Tremendously in the Market Growth"

The development of the germanium transistor has opened up the possibility of using solid-state devices in many different applications. This has given the germanium market possible opportunities for development. Furthermore, interest in germanium for polymerization catalysts, infrared night vision systems, and fiber optic correspondence systems increased overall. The bulk of germanium is utilized in these applications, which further fuel market expansion.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

"Dependency on By-Products and Limited Availability to Hamstring the Market Growth"

Although it can occasionally be found in the Earth's crust in certain minerals like germanite and argyrodite, germanium is not typically found in large quantities there. This means that the global availability of germanium is somewhat limited when compared to other metals. Additionally, most of the germanium that is collected comes from the processing of zinc ore. Zinc smelters extract germanium from flue dust associated with smelting. Germanium production is therefore reliant on the zinc market, and fluctuations in zinc prices and demand may affect the supply of germanium. Consequently, it is anticipated that this will significantly impede the expansion of the germanium sector over the projected future. Hence, such factors are expected to hinder the germanium market growth during the forecast period.

GERMANIUM MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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"Asia Pacific to Lead with a Surge in Electronics and Solar Industry"

Asia Pacific held the largest germanium market share of more than quarter in the projected timeframe in terms of value. Throughout the projected time, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to rule the global germanium market. The expanding electronics and solar industries are blamed for the region's expansion. China and India in particular are major drivers of the region's growth. For example, secondary analysis indicates that the electronics sector in India produced about 6.4 trillion Indian rupees during the fiscal year 2022. One of the sectors in India that is expanding the fastest is the manufacture of mobile phones. Future electronics manufacturing powerhouse India is expected to emerge from supportive government policies, industry-specific regulations, and growing domestic and global demand.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"Key Industry Players Shaping the Market through Innovation and Market Expansion"

Important industry players have a big impact on the market and are crucial in determining customer preferences and market dynamics. These major firms provide consumers easy access to a vast array of clothing alternatives through their huge retail networks and online platforms. Product adoption has increased as a result of their strong worldwide presence and well-known brand, which has also enhanced consumer trust and loyalty. These industry titans also consistently fund R&D, bringing cutting-edge designs, materials, and clever features to germanium to meet changing customer demands and preferences. These big businesses' combined efforts have a big impact on the market's future direction and level of competition.

List of Market Players Profiled

• Yunnan (China)
• Umicore (Belgium)
• Yunnan Chihong Zn & Ge (China)
• Teck (Canada)
• Zhonghao Technology (China)
• AXT Inc (China)
• JSC Germanium (Russia)
• Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan (China)
• PPM Pure Metals (Germany)
• Sihuan Zinc & Germanium (China)

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

January 2020: Teck declared that it would buy the debt interest of the city of Kimberley, British Columbia in the SunMine solar power plant. On land that was reclaimed from Teck's Sullivan Mine, which produced zinc, lead, and silver until it closed in 2001, the 1.05 MW project was built in 2015.(28)The company intends to use SunMine to acquire expertise in solar power and sustainable energy development, according to CEO Don Lindsay.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report includes a thorough SWOT analysis and offers predictions for market growth in the future. It explores a broad range of market categories and possible applications that might have an impact on the market's trajectory in the upcoming years, as well as key aspects that contribute to the market's growth. The research provides a comprehensive overview of the market's components and identifies possible growth opportunities by taking into account both historical turning points and present trends.