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China is one of the most important producers of indium. As with many other critical resources, the country therefore also occupies a central position in the global supply of this market: a significant proportion of the global refinery production of indium comes from the People's Republic. As a result, international supply chains are highly dependent on the Chinese metal and refinery industry.
Since February 2025, additional requirements have applied to the export of certain indium compounds and products from China. An export license is now required for these materials, which must be applied for from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. In addition to indium, the regulation also affects other technology metals such as molybdenum, bismuth, tungsten and tellurium. In total, the measure covers several dozen products and technologies, including materials that are used in semiconductors or special solar cells, for example.
National security interests are cited as the reason for the export controls. Many of the materials concerned are considered dual-use goods. They can be used in both civilian and military applications. Companies must therefore provide detailed information on the end user and the intended use when exporting.
Future supply bottlenecks cannot be ruled out. Industries that use indium as an indispensable raw material - such as the semiconductor industry and manufacturers of thin-film solar cells and ITO-based display technologies - would be particularly affected. As many of the regulated products are considered dual-use goods, companies are also required to provide detailed information about the end user and intended use when exporting - which can put additional strain on supply chains.
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