We live in a time where relations between China and much of the rest of the world are not very good. On the one hand, we have the new rate that the European Union will impose on Chinese cars. On the other hand, the limits of the Asian country on American technologies such as Google services or ChatGPT AI.
And these tensions have been going on for years and China work to become more and more independent with its own national operating systems and processor technologies. However, in a world where everyone needs everyone else, “wars” like these can slow down innovation. And so far, that seems to be the case for a metal that is highly regarded by the tech industry.
What is antimony and what is its use in technology?
Antimony is a rare metal present in the earth’s crust in limited quantities. said metal has gained a lot of importance in recent years due to its properties both in technology and in the manufacture of military equipment, as a fire retardant or in night vision goggles. Although It is not as well known as other metals
Antimony is found mainly in rocks and as minerals
With the rise of renewable energy, electric cars and more demanding consumer devices such as the iPhone or iPad, the need for more efficient batteries has become a global priority. Therefore, the demand for metals will be increasingly strong.
The most common use of this metal is in alloys, by combining it with other metals or minerals to increase or improve their properties. This is the case, for example, of alloys with sodium batteries, which have a bright future ahead of them as a replacement for current lithium batteries.
Why China is restricting exports of this metal
China has taken the decision to restrict antimony exports as part of a strategy to protect its national interests and maintain control over other countries’ access to what it called “critical minerals.” China controls 48% of production of antimony in the world. And the second country is Russia, so turning to the second producer is also not an option.
China’s restriction on antimony is to limit exports as well as related products and associated technology. From September 15th From 2024, China will implement the following measures:
- Ban on export of related products: The export of six types of antimony-related products is restricted, including antimony ore, antimony metals and antimony oxide. This applies to both raw and processed products.
- Restrictions on casting and separation technology: The unauthorized export of antimony and gold smelting and separation technologies, essential for transforming these materials into final products, will also be prohibited.
- Licenses for dual-use goods and technologies: Exporters will have to obtain licenses for goods and technologies that can have both civilian and military uses, which implies more rigorous control over the destination and use of exported antimony.
Antimony oxide is most commonly used for applications such as flame retardants and in the manufacture of specialty glass and ceramics.
How this could affect the future of iPhone batteries
China’s restrictions on the export of antimony could have a major impact on the production of batteries for electronic devices, including iPhones, iPads and Macs. Apple now uses lithium batteriesSome of its partners are working to offer manufacturers (including Apple) new technologies to better meet customer demand.
Currently, one of the The main battery supplier for Apple is TDKa Japanese company that plays a key role in the supply chain. The company has invested in the development of new energy storage technologies, some of which could be affected by the limited availability of antimony due to Chinese restrictions. In addition, any Rising material costs could translate into price increases
It is in China’s interest for manufacturers to continue to trust it to make their products. And while iPhone 16 manufacturing may begin in India, China remains one of Apple’s key suppliers, both for processors and for the final manufacturing of products and accessories. With the restriction starting on September 15, China guarantees that everything produced with antimony is made in its countryboth the extraction and the manufacturing of components.
Therefore, in general, it is bad news globally, because it will increase the dependence on the Asian giant by limiting exports and the possibilities of handling the metal outside its borders. On the other hand, Apple has good relations with the Chinese government and good contracts with leading companies that are surely ready to receive orders from Apple for alleged batteries containing antimony.
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