1,500% price increase on some rare earth elements squeezes chipmaking business — Yttrium surge caused by trade war between U.S. and China

The price of the rare earth element Yttrium has jumped through the roof, with a kilogram of the material currently sitting at $126 per kilogram. According to Bloomberg, this resource cost less than $8 at the end of 2024, meaning its price has increased by nearly 1, 500% in the past 12 months. This is an all-time high for Yttrium, with the trade war between the U.S. and China fueling the price hikes. This material is crucial for semiconductor manufacturing, where it’s used in various processes,…