The Russia-Ukraine conflict affects global xenon supply, and rising prices may promote the upgrading of China’s xenon industry

Xenon (xenon), chemical symbol Xenon exists in the air (approximately 0.0087mL of xenon per 100L of air) and also in the gas of hot springs. It is separated from liquid air along with krypton. Xenon has extremely high luminous intensity and is used in lighting technology to fill photocells, flash lamps and xenon high-pressure lamps. In addition, xenon is also used in deep anesthesia, medical ultraviolet light, lasers, welding, refractory metal cutting, standard gas, special mixed gas, etc.

Xenon was first discovered in July 1898. However, due to its inactive chemical properties and rarity, its application and commercial production were relatively late. In recent decades, thanks to the development of China’s steel industry, China’s technology in air liquefaction and separation has continued to advance (steel production requires the participation of oxygen and nitrogen in the air, so steel companies often carry out air liquefaction), driving China’s Xenon separation and technology development. At present, most of the companies that supply the largest amount of xenon in China are steel companies. For example, the company that supplies the largest amount of xenon is Wuhan Iron and Steel Group. Shougang, Jinan Iron and Steel, Maanshan Iron and Steel, etc. all have strong xenon production and supply capabilities. Domestic gas companies such as Hangyang and Qiyuan have also made breakthroughs in xenon purification processes and are able to produce xenon products. In addition, foreign-funded enterprises such as Linde and Messer have also set up factories in China and have the ability to produce xenon in China. The development of China’s xenon industry provides an important material foundation for improving the domestic industrial chain and ensuring the development of China’s electronics, medical, welding, aerospace and other industries. In particular, China’s technological breakthroughs in high-purity xenon gas in recent years, such as the successful application of xenon gas produced by HBIS Handang Gas Plant in Shijian-13 satellite, have greatly enhanced the competitiveness of China’s xenon industry and promoted China’s xenon exports. volume growth. According to the released “2022-2026 Xenon Industry In-depth Market Research and Investment Strategy Suggestions Report“, in 2021, China will export xenon Nearly 1,000 cubic meters, of which nearly one-third is exported to South Korea.

Since 2021, due to strong downstream demand and power rationing in steel plants, the supply of xenon has gradually become tight, especially the tense situation between Russia and Ukraine, which has driven the price of xenon to rise further and has exceeded 250,000 yuan/cubic meter. Analysts believe that Ukraine supplies nearly 30% of the world’s xenon. The current Russia-Ukraine war is bound to affect the global xenon supply, and major The demand gap for xenon in downstream areas such as lighting, electronics, medical and other industries may be further magnified, especially in the context of tight chip supply. As an indispensable semiconductor production material, xenon may have an impact on the semiconductor industry once it is in short supply. As a xenon producer, China is in the process of building and improving the semiconductor industry chain. Chinese xenon companies can accelerate technology research and development in this process and actively promote the industrialization of semiconductor-grade high-purity xenon.