Yttrium Prices Soar After Chinese Export Controls

Yttrium prices erupted in 2025, climbing from under $8/kg to roughly $120–$300+/kg in spot and short-term contract markets—an increase of up to 4,400%—after China introduced export licensing controls in April. The restrictions precipitated immediate shortages and multi‑month delivery delays across aerospace, semiconductor, energy, and defense supply chains.

Yttrium, typically sold as yttrium oxide (Y2O3), is prized for thermal stability, ionic conductivity and optical performance. It strengthens nickel‑based superalloys for jet engines, is essential in YAG lasers, and supports high‑k dielectrics, phosphors and solid oxide fuel cells. These applications have few high‑performance substitutes, so demand is highly price‑inelastic during disruptions.

The pinch point is not primary mining but separation and oxide refining, where China holds dominant capacity. Outside China, processing lines are limited and must pass lengthy qualification; scaling meaningful non‑Chinese capacity typically takes 18–36 months even when ore or recycled feedstock is available.

New projects in South Africa and modular separation and recycling efforts in the United States could boost supply over time, but they are unlikely to relieve near‑term tightness. As long as non‑Chinese separation capacity remains constrained, price volatility and strategic supply vulnerability are expected to continue.