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Critical resource map

Exposure
← Overview

tech

Germanium

Global refinery production and recycling data were limited. Do not infer a share from the narrative.

Country panel

Import reliance
No dataUSGS reports >50%; exact figure withheld
Top import partners
No dataPartner shares are published for the United States in USGS MCS 2026; other viewers are No data in v1.

Global totals

Production
No dataUSGS did not publish a country production table. China is described as the leading producer; figures are not given.
Reserves
No dataNot reported by USGS at mine or country level.
Reserve life
No dataUSGS did not publish a country production table. China is described as the leading producer; figures are not given.

Concentration

  • No dataNo country production figures reported

Production share

    Colour scale is colour-blind-safe sand to rust. Grey means no listed figure. “Other countries” is not drawn. On small screens the map is a ranked list.

    No country production figures to chart.

    Uses

    • Fibre-optic glass (germanium dioxide and tetrachloride). 2025
    • Infrared optics. 2025
    • Semiconductor wafers and space solar cells; radiation detectors. 2025

    Recycling

    The United States can recycle new and old germanium scrap, especially from infrared optics manufacture.

    Substitution

    Silicon or gallium arsenide in some electronics; chalcogenide glass in some infrared uses.

    Sources