9 Germanium Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for germanium as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 germanium manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked germanium companies as of April, 2024: 1.ADVANCED MATERIAL JAPAN CORPORATION, 2.Gelest Inc., 3.Umicore Technical Materials - Contact Materials Business Unit.
Table of Contents
What Is Germanium?
Germanium is a grayish-white, hard, brittle solid.
Germanium's element symbol is Ge, its atomic number is 32, and its CAS number is 7440-56-4. It is classified as a "semimetallic element," a substance intermediate between metals and nonmetals. It is a substance extracted from ores and soil in nature and was discovered by the German scientist Winkler in 1885. It is classified as a rare metal because only about 0.00014% of it exists on the earth and its mining is limited.
Germanium compounds can be broadly classified into two types: organic and inorganic germanium compounds.
Uses of Germanium
1. Inorganic Germanium
Inorganic germanium, such as germanium oxide, is used as an industrial raw material for diodes, transistors, infrared lenses for night vision cameras, optical fibers, catalysts in the manufacture of PET bottles, health accessories such as bracelets, and germanium hot baths. Germanium oxide, with its high refractive index and low optical dispersion, is particularly useful as a dopant in the core of wide-angle cameras, microscopes, and optical fibers. Germanium can be alloyed with silicon, and circuits that take advantage of the heterojunction properties of germanium and silicon are fast, making silicon-germanium alloys an important semiconductor material for high-speed integrated circuits. In addition, semiconductor detectors made of single-crystal high-purity germanium are utilized in airport security to detect radiation sources.
2. Organic Germanium
While inorganic germanium is insoluble in water and accumulates in the body, causing harm, organic germanium is mainly used in health foods and cosmetics because it is water soluble and is also found in plants known to be good for the body, such as ginseng and aloe.
Properties of Germanium
Germanium has a melting point of 937°C and a boiling point of 2,850°C. It exists as a solid at room temperature, and its density in the solid state is 5.35 g/cm3. It is insoluble in dilute acids and alkalis, but slowly dissolves in hot concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids, and reacts violently with molten alkalis to form germanates ([GeO4]4-). It has a narrower band gap (0.7eV) than silicon, making it a useful semiconductor element.
Structure of Germanium
Germanium has three different crystal structures, depending on temperature and pressure. At room temperature and pressure, it has a cubic structure similar to diamond, called α-germanium, and at higher pressures, it has a tetragonal structure similar to β-Tin, called β-germanium. There is also a structure called germanene, which is created by a process similar to graphene, using a high vacuum and high temperature to deposit layers of germanium atoms on a substrate, and is considered a material that exhibits more abundant physical properties than graphene.
Other Information on Germanium
1. How Germanium Is Produced
Germanium is produced primarily from sphalerite but is also found in silver, lead, and copper ores. Germanium in ores is mostly sulfides, which are converted to oxides by heating them under air (GeS2+3O2→GeO2+2SO2). High-purity germanium oxide can be reduced with hydrogen (GeO2+2H2→Ge+2H2O) to yield products suitable for infrared optics and semiconductor manufacturing, while reduction with coke (GeO2+C→Ge+CO2) yields products for steel production and industrial products.
2. Legal Information
Germanium is not subject to any of the major laws and regulations, such as the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law, the Fire Service Law, and the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Law (PRTR Law).
3. Handling and Storage Precautions
Handling and storage precautions are as follows
- Seal the container tightly and store it in a dry, cool, and dark place.
- Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
- Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents.
- Wear protective gloves and glasses when using.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
- In case of skin contact, rinse immediately with water.
- In case of eye contact, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
List of 9 Germanium Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Russia
- United Kingdom
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Gelest Inc.
Germanium Compounds
Manufacturer Overview
Gelest Inc., founded in 1991, and headquartered in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, is a manufacturer, and supplier of high-growth materials and science-intensive applications. Their diverse product range includes silanes, used to modify surface properties; silicones; metal-organics for creating metal-containing compounds; and acrylates for acrylic polymer production. These chemicals are utilized in manufacturing adhesives, sealants, coatings, elastomers, lubricants, as well as surfactants, catalysts, pigments, and more. Gelest has established a Quality Management System that is certified according to the ISO 9001 standard, and Responsible Care 14001 Certification.
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KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.
Germanium
Manufacturer Overview
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
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Crystran Ltd
Germanium (Ge)
Manufacturer Overview
Crystran Ltd was founded in 1993 and is a manufacturer of crystal-based optical components based in Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom. The company's product portofolio includes windows, lenses, dispersing prisms, and ATR spectroscopy prisms. Custom-made optical products requests are also accepted by the company to adhered to the customers' specification. The company has been certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001 to provide quality and environmental industry standards expected by the customers.
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Indium Corporation
Germanium
Manufacturer Overview
Indium Corporation, established in 1996, is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and supplier of advanced electronics assembly materials solutions. The company provides solder and thermal management products for over 3,000,000 electric vehicles. Their products are used in essential markets such as medical equipment, fire suppression, transportation, automotive, defense, and emergency communication devices. They have facilities across the Americas, Asia/Pacific, China, and Europe, with multiple licenses and certifications in each. Their wide range of products includes solder paste, thermal interface materials, fluxes, die-attach materials, and more.
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Germanium chip Takachiho Metals Co., Ltd.
Germanium
Manufacturer Overview
Germanium chip Takachiho Metals Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer headquartered in Japan, specializing on the production of germanium chips. Established in 2006, the company caters primarily to the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing sectors. These germanium chips are components with diverse applications in semiconductor devices, optical components, and infrared detectors, thanks to its thermal conductivity and unique electrical properties. The company works in advancing cutting-edge electronic and optical technologies through its precision-crafted germanium chips.
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Umicore Technical Materials - Contact Materials Business Unit
Germanium
Manufacturer Overview
Umicore Technical Materials - Contact Materials Business Unit, founded in 1805 in Brussels, Belgium, is a manufacturer of advanced materials for applications in the fields of material science, chemistry, and metallurgy. Its product assortment covers catalysts, metal alloys, compounds, and zinc specialties. Some of the offerings encompass Antimony, Palladium, Nickel, Molybdenum, and others, finding crucial roles in emission control, electronics, and more. Additionally, the organization does recycling processes for products at the end of its lifecycle. A substantial portion of its metals originates from recycled sources, spanning production scrap, residues from clients and various sectors, along with materials from its own operations.
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Tydex
Germanium
Company Overview
Founded with a passion for excellence, Tydex began its remarkable journey in 1994 in St. Petersburg, the optics ‘heart’ of Russia. Tydex is a trailblazing company that takes honour in extending cutting-edge products and services. From precision optics to state-of-the-art photonics, their diverse portfolio caters to various sectors, including research, defence, and industrial applications. Their team of experts is pledged to providing unmatched services, ensuring every customer feels highly regarded. Tydex's promise to push boundaries and relentless pursuit of innovation has revolutionized industries, making them a secure name in the world of technology.
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Lenntech
Germanium - Ge
Company Overview
Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions, established in 1993, is a design and manfacturing company of water treatment solutions serving numerous industries based in the Netherlands. The company has been delivering sustainable solutions for several applications and processes of water treatment, wastewater reuse and membrane separation. They specialized in providing turnkey and customized water purification and membrane separation systems for different industries and applications. With wide range of technologies and extended know-how in all water-related sectors, they provide cost-efficient solutions meeting customers water quality requirements.
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ADVANCED MATERIAL JAPAN CORPORATION
Germanium
Distributor Overview
Advanced Material Japan Corporation , established in 2004 and headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, is a distributor and supplier of rare metal resources. The company deals in a wide array of rare and precious materials such as cobalt, gallium, magnesium, zirconium, and tungsten. Additionally, it provides recycled products including electronic waste, special steels, and scrap metals. The company has obtained the ISO 14001 environmental management system certification, indicating its adherence to environmental standards, and also updated to ISO 14001:2015 certification in 2017.
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Germanium Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ADVANCED MATERIAL JAPAN CORPORATION |
23.1%
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| 2 | Gelest Inc. |
20.5%
|
| 3 | Umicore Technical Materials - Contact Materials Business Unit |
10.9%
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| 4 | Indium Corporation |
10.7%
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| 5 | Lenntech |
9.3%
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| 6 | Crystran Ltd |
7.6%
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| 7 | KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC. |
6.4%
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| 8 | Germanium chip Takachiho Metals Co., Ltd. |
6.2%
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| 9 | Tydex |
5.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the germanium page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.: 1,062
- Crystran Ltd: 30
Newly Established Company
- ADVANCED MATERIAL JAPAN CORPORATION: 2004 (20 years ago)
- Lenntech: 1993 (31 years ago)
- Gelest Inc.: 1991 (33 years ago)
Company with a History
- Indium Corporation: 1934 (90 years ago)
- KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.: 1944 (80 years ago)
- Gelest Inc.: 1991 (33 years ago)
Germanium Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Germanium Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
Japan
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2 | 33.3% |
United States of America
|
1 | 16.7% |
United Kingdom
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1 | 16.7% |
Russia
|
1 | 16.7% |
Netherlands
|
1 | 16.7% |
