Prices of precious metals used in electronics manufacturing have drastically jumped in the past five years. This is especially true of copper, which cost $5,000 per metric ton in 2020 but now sits at $8,300. Because of these price increases, Digitimes reports that several Chinese semiconductor companies are raising their prices.
Some companies, including battery circuit protection firm ICM and circuit design, packaging, and testing firm Yaxin Microelectronics, have informed their customers in writing that they’re increasing their prices by 10-20% across the board with immediate effect. Reports indicate that most of these companies noted the continuous price hikes in precious metal materials as the reason for their higher prices, with further price increases expected down the line.
