Gallium International Market Price Jumps by 50% in 3 Months

International market price of gallium surged to the level as high as two and a half years ago. The current spot price is around US$ 620 per kilogram, which has risen by 50% in late 3 months. Gallium is now actively consumed for compound semiconductors. The market price is also pulled up by speculative expectation for demand growth from solar cell industry in future.

Gallium price in European market, surveyed by Reuters, was US$ 605-640 per kg at the end of last week. Japanese major rare metal trader says they cannot procure gallium even at US$ 650 actually. Another rare metal trader around Tokyo explains there is no gallium supply when offshore exporters expect for continuous price upsurge.

Compound semiconductors such as gallium arsenide and gallium phosphide are used for light emitting diode (LED), laser diode (LD) and electronic devices. Japanese electronic material maker says market demand for compound semiconductor maintains favorable thanks to active purchase of home appliances in China.

Global gallium demand is estimated at approximately 200 tonnes per year, 80% of which is consumed in Japan. The demand is expected to increase when new applications are commercialized such as LED lighting and CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) type solar cells. Some of offshore exporters seem to have intentions to raise gallium market price speculatively with an expectation of material shortage in future.