Chinese quartz approved for semiconductor equipment and DRAM manufacturing, breaking the US's stranglehold

Jiangsu Pacific Quartz, a Chinese high-purity quartz (HPQ) producer, has made significant progress in the semiconductor materials sector by supplying its products to leading global chipmaking equipmen... Read original →

The breakthrough in high-purity quartz is reshaping the power dynamics within the semiconductor supply chain. Jiangsu Pacific Quartz’s certification allows its materials to enter the supply chains of global leaders like Lam Research and Tokyo Electron, marking a significant step forward for China in critical raw materials. However, silicon crucibles still rely on foreign suppliers such as Sibelco and Russian Quartz, indicating persistent technological gaps. This development triggers a ripple effect across upstream wafer fabrication and downstream chip manufacturing, especially in 300mm wafer production. From a compliance standpoint, this undermines U.S. strategic dominance in high-end materials, potentially prompting stricter export controls. Equipment vendors may reassess supply chain strategies, possibly accelerating local manufacturing or joint ventures in China. Over the next 12 to 24 months, if China overcomes the technical hurdles in crucible production, it will significantly enhance domestic industry self-reliance and reshape global supply chain structures.