US Germanium markets remained under acute supply pressure through July, as policy-driven demand, constrained global availability, and logistics frictions sustained elevated price levels. A key development was the executive order tightening waiver conditions for defense contractors sourcing restricted materials, accelerating strategic stockpiling and further constraining prompt Germanium import availability. Supply-side developments offered only marginal relief, with limited diversification of feedstock sources. US Germanium prices held the highest globally, reflecting persistent export licensing friction with China. Demand from defense, fiber-optics, and semiconductor applications remained robust. Looking ahead, the Germanium market is expected to remain structurally tight, though new recycling projects could marginally ease pressure in the medium term. Policy-driven demand and concentrated supply chains suggest sustained price support for Germanium through year-end.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
