The White House has warned chipmakers to diversify the supply chain in case Russia responds to the threat of US export restrictions by blocking access to key materials in turn. This was reported by Reuters, citing sources familiar with the situation.
This possibility has gained more attention in recent days after market research group Techcet published a report on Feb. 1 highlighting the reliance of many semiconductor manufacturers on materials of Russian and Ukrainian origin, such as neon, palladium and others.
Techcet estimates that more than 90% of the US semiconductor supply of neon comes from Ukraine, while 35% of palladium comes from Russia.
Neon is a component of high-purity technical gas mixtures for excimer lasers, which are used in optical lithography and for annealing polysilicon thin films in a controlled atmosphere in the production of semiconductor products and flat panel displays.
According to whistleblowers, Peter Harrell, a member of the White House National Security Council, and his staff have been contacting industry representatives using Russian and Ukrainian materials in recent days and urging them to find alternative sources.
The administration declined to comment on the details of the talks, but a senior official confirmed that it was preparing for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Part of that is working with companies to make sure that if Russia takes action that disrupts supply chains, companies are prepared for disruptions,” the source said.
Reuters also obtained an email from Joe Pasetti, vice president of industry association SEMI, sent out this week.
"As discussed in today's call, please see the attached document... regarding Russian/Ukrainian production of a number of semiconductor materials," the letter said in reference to a Techcet summary of C4F6, palladium, helium, neon and scandium from the "problem region." “Please let me know if potential supply disruptions of any of these are of concern to your company.”
Earlier, the Biden administration threatened to impose sweeping export restrictions against Russia if it invaded Ukraine.
Some chip makers are reviewing their supply chains for the potential impact of the conflict in Ukraine. According to Reuters, an anonymous representative of one of the companies confirmed that it was exploring alternative options for the supply of neon and other gases.
“Even if there was a conflict in Ukraine, this would not lead to a cessation of supplies. This would drive prices up,” he said. - The market will shrink. These gases will become quite scarce. But that won't stop semiconductor manufacturing."
William Moss, a spokesman for Intel, said the company does not expect any impact on neon supplies.
Based on plans by Intel, Samsung and TSMC to build new factories in the US, Techcet estimates that demand for all semiconductor manufacturing materials will grow by more than 37% over the next four years.
Before the reunification of Crimea and Russia in 2014, neon prices rose by 600%, according to the US International Trade Commission, as semiconductor manufacturers depended on supplies from a few Ukrainian companies.
In the Russian Foreign Ministry, the White House's statements on the situation around Ukraine are called hysteria, accusing the "Anglo-Saxons" of striving to unleash a war in Ukraine at any cost. In particular, the position of the ministry is expressed in the Telegram channel of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova. Commenting on statements by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan about Russia's plans for an "invasion" of Ukraine, Maria Zakharova wrote that provocations, disinformation and threats are Washington's favorite method to solve its own problems.
“The skating rink of the American military-political machine is ready to go through people's lives again. The whole world is watching as militarism and imperial ambitions denounce themselves.
bbabo.Net