Introduction: Russia‘s nickel mine production accounts for about 9% of the world‘s total production, ranking after Indonesia and the Philippines. Nickel is an upstream key raw material for the manufacture of electric vehicle power batteries, and is mainly used in the manufacture of ternary cathode materials in power batteries.

  On the 24th local time, market analysts warned that as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, the international supply of neon, an inert gas required for chip production, and the key raw material palladium may be disrupted, which will further exacerbate the global chip shortage.

  The United States relies heavily on Russia and Ukraine for a variety of materials needed for chip production, and some seemingly inconspicuous noble gases are indispensable, including neon gas. Statistics show that Ukraine supplies nearly 70% of the world‘s high-purity neon gas.

  According to the analysis of market research firm TrendForce, the intensification of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may disrupt the supply of neon gas, but in the short term it will not completely paralyze global chip production. However, the reduction in the supply of neon gas in the international market may lead to an increase in the price of neon gas, which in turn leads to an increase in the cost of chip manufacturing. The price of neon gas soared by 600% during the Ukraine crisis in 2014, which severely hit the global chip industry.

  In addition, palladium is also a key raw material for chips, and Russia is the world‘s largest producer of palladium, accounting for about 40% of global production. Some analysts say that if the United States imposes more sanctions on Russia, Russia‘s countermeasures may include prohibiting the export of such materials to the United States, which will seriously affect the production of chips in the United States.

  In addition, market research company TrendForce released a report on the 25th, saying that although Russia‘s nickel product exports are not affected for the time being, if the Russian-Ukrainian relationship continues to deteriorate, it may affect the global nickel supply in the short term, push up nickel prices, and increase nickel prices. It will further increase the cost pressure on terminals such as the electric vehicle industry.

  Russia‘s nickel mine production accounts for about 9% of the global total, ranking after Indonesia and the Philippines. Nickel is an upstream key raw material for the manufacture of electric vehicle power batteries, and is mainly used in the manufacture of ternary cathode materials in power batteries.