The 18th InBiGeGa Forum was successfully held by Asian Metal in Nanning, China on April 24 2026. The Forum covered broad topics including upstream raw material supply, production, consumption, trading and price trend prediction on indium, bismuth, germanium and gallium. This Forum gained broad support from minor metals industry professionals, and representatives from countries and regions including China, Germany, Taiwan and so on took part in the Forum.

At 9:00 AM on April 24, Mr. Ben Jiang, Content Director of Asian Metal, officially opened the conference and warmly welcomed both returning and new attendees. At the beginning of 2026, we gathered in Nanning to discuss the industry and embark on a new journey.

The summit then moved into the opening address segment. Mr. Peng Rongliu, Deputy General Manager of Guangxi Yusheng Germanium Industry High-Tech Co., Ltd., delivered the opening remarks at the summit. Since its inaugural event in 2008, InBiGeGa Forum has journeyed alongside the industry for 18 years, serving as a platform for sharing the industry’s urgent needs, concerns, thoughts, and aspirations. Industry professionals have also collectively witnessed the significant achievements of the InBiGeGa Forum in areas such as industry dialogue, market forecasting, product innovation, brand building, and economic and trade cooperation, making it an annual industry gathering.

Guangxi Yusheng Germanium Industry High-Tech Co., Ltd. is a rare and precious metals smelting and deep-processing enterprise introduced by the Hechi Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government as part of their efforts to focus on the development of the strategic rare and precious metals industry and comprehensively optimize the business environment. Founded in July 2016, the company achieved an output value exceeding 2 billion yuan for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024, ranking 73rd among Guangxi’s Top 100 Manufacturing Enterprises. It has been recognized as a High-Tech Enterprise and a Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative Enterprise. The company is currently undergoing rapid development toward becoming a group-based and international enterprise. It has 10 subsidiaries (including holding companies), currently owns 8 mining areas and 3 ore dressing plants, and employs approximately 1,200 people across the group. Once all projects are completed and reach full production capacity, the company’s annual output value will exceed 10 billion yuan. This will establish Guangxi’s first complete deep-processing industrial chain for zinc, lead, and antimony, as well as a high-purity germanium production line with capacity ranking among the top in the country, thereby filling the gap in Guangxi’s zinc and germanium non-ferrous metal industries.

The meeting then proceeded to the presentation segment. Mr. Yan Qing, Deputy General Manager of Guangxi Yusheng Germanium Industry High-Tech Co., Ltd., delivered an insightful presentation titled “Analysis of the Current Status and Future Trends of China’s Germanium Industry.” Mr. Yan Qing provided an in-depth analysis of the core conditions and landscape of China’s germanium industry in terms of resources, supply, technology, demand, and pricing, offering a comprehensive reference for understanding the industry as a whole. Next, Mr. Yan Qing focused on the period from 2026 to 2030, outlining the future development trends of the germanium industry from four dimensions: supply, demand, technology and competition, and price and policy. He noted that by 2030, demand will rapidly concentrate in fields such as aerospace, infrared technology, and high-end semiconductors, and that the trend toward high-end and specialized industrial upgrading is irreversible. It is projected that by 2030, total domestic germanium consumption will increase significantly, with high-end applications accounting for over 60% of the market, accelerating the industry’s upgrade.

Next, Mr. Yuan Dingsheng, Deputy General Manager of Kaidi Technology Development Co., Ltd. in Shaoguan, Guangdong, delivered an insightful presentation titled “Analysis of Supply-Demand Restructuring and Price Trends in the Strategic Minor Metal Indium Market.” Mr. Yuan Dingsheng first analyzed the price trends of refined indium over the past five years; he then examined the evolution of global indium resources and the supply landscape. Finally, Mr. Yuan Dingsheng concluded that, in the long term, the growth in indium demand will exhibit a “dual-engine” characteristic: on the one hand, traditional electronics and photovoltaic industries will continue to expand through technological iteration; on the other hand, emerging fields such as AI-driven optical communications and new energy vehicles are becoming new engines of demand growth. Shaoguan Kaidi Technology Development Co., Ltd., established in March 1996 and located in the Muxi Industrial Park of the High-Tech Zone in Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province, serves as the chair unit of the Shaoguan Indium and Rare-Scattered Metals Industry Association and the chairman unit of the Shaoguan Zhongjinhui Indium and Rare-Scattered Metals Industry Research Institute. The company possesses independently developed complete process technologies and core equipment, and its products have been validated and recognized by leading domestic and international clients, achieving stable supply partnerships. The company has an annual production capacity of 400 tons of ITO composite powder and 4N5 indium ingots.

Following the Tea break, Mr. Qi Hong, General Manager of Jingyuan GeoEnviron New Material Technology, Inc., delivered an insightful presentation titled “Discussion on Trends in the Bismuth Metal Industry in 2026.” Mr. Qi Hong provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of China’s bismuth industry, covering five key areas: application fields and strategic significance, production and consumption trends, supply conditions, industry development prospects, and price trend analysis. Mr. Qi noted that China currently holds a dominant position in the global bismuth market, and this China-led landscape is expected to strengthen further in the coming period, particularly in terms of production growth, consumption growth, and price performance. At the same time, the situation where China’s bismuth industry is large but not strong urgently needs to be fundamentally transformed. Jingyuan GeoEnviron New Material Technology, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing Gaoneng Times Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. It is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the comprehensive recovery and utilization of non-ferrous metal smelting residues, located in Jingyuan County, Baiyin City, Gansu Province. The company operates six production lines: electrolytic lead, refined bismuth, precious metals, antimony white powder, matte refining, and material drying. It comprehensively recycles and utilizes valuable metals such as lead, copper, gold, silver, bismuth, tin, and antimony, with an annual output of 8,000 tons of high-grade matte, 25,000 tons of electrolytic lead, 1,500 tons of antimony white powder, 5,000 tons of refined bismuth, and 80 tons of gold-silver alloy.

Following that, Mr. Shao Guangyu, Deputy General Manager of Zhejiang Compound Semiconductor Co., Ltd., delivered an insightful presentation titled “Applications of Gallium Compound Semiconductors.” Mr. Shao Guangyu began with a brief introduction to gallium arsenide. He then provided a detailed overview of its application areas, noting that gallium arsenide holds significant value in the field of optoelectronic devices. He stated that with the development of 5G communication and artificial intelligence technologies, and driven by the widespread adoption of IoT sensor technologies, lasers represent one of the largest growth areas for gallium arsenide substrates over the next five years. Zhejiang Compound Semiconductor Co., Ltd. was established on November 5, 2018, with a business scope encompassing the R&D, production, and sales of gallium arsenide materials. The company is primarily jointly funded by the Beijing Bu Junpeng team (investment, technology, and operations), Xiamen Qian Zhao Optoelectronics Co., Ltd., and Anxin Fund (investment). The company has completed its Series A financing round, with a post-investment valuation of 700 million yuan. Currently, China’s market for semi-insulating GaAs substrate materials relies entirely on imports. Compound’s products, which are benchmarked against those of Japan’s Sumitomo, have achieved import substitution and filled the domestic gap in GaAs substrate materials for RF chips. The products have already been sold to Taiwan’s Epistar Corporation. Compound’s semi-insulating products—which were previously entirely dependent on imports in China—have now entered the international market, indicating promising future prospects. Additionally, Compound supplies GaAs wafers to downstream manufacturers, which are then reprocessed and primarily used in Huawei’s facial recognition terminal products, positioning Compound as an upstream supplier in Huawei’s supply chain.

Next, Mr. Christian Hell, Senior Manager at Tradium GmbH, delivered a keynote presentation titled “Current Market Status and Outlook for Minor Metals such as Gallium, Germanium, and Indium.” Mr. Christian Hell analyzed the current state of the international market for minor metals such as indium, gallium, and germanium, noting that global tax policies and export restrictions have led to significant price increases. Consequently, consumers are seeking alternative sources to ensure supply, and sustainability and recycling will be more important than ever. Mr. Hell believes we are facing challenging times and called on global participants in the minor metals industry to unite more closely. Tradium GmbH offers a broad portfolio of technology metals, rare earths, and precious metals, and acts as a representative and distributor for some of the major players in these markets.

At 2:00 p.m., Mr. Huang Shicheng, General Manager of Guangxi Crystal Union Photoelectric Materials Co., Ltd., delivered a keynote speech titled “Research Progress and Development Trends of Oxide Targets for Display and Photovoltaic Applications.” Mr. Huang Shicheng provided a detailed overview of research progress and future trends regarding oxide target materials for display and photovoltaic applications. Regarding display panels, Mr. Huang Shicheng noted that mainland China is expected to account for over 75% of global panel production capacity and over 50% of upstream material output value, positioning itself as the global display industry’s “triple hub” of scale, cost, and supply chain. However, he emphasized that breakthroughs in high-end technology and patents remain necessary. Regarding photovoltaics, Mr. Huang Shicheng noted that the industry is shifting from “scale expansion” to “quality enhancement” and from “capacity competition” to “technology competition.” He predicted that the next decade for the photovoltaic industry will be one of continuous technological innovation, expanding market demand, and the ongoing refinement of the industrial chain. Guangxi Crystal Union Photoelectric Materials Co., Ltd. has specialized in the development and application of ITO target materials for 13 years. By leading its technical team to break through technological monopolies, the company has achieved the localization of ITO target materials, upgraded panel production lines (from 2.5G to 10.5G), and established mass supply of ITO target materials. As a result, Guangxi Crystal Union Photoelectric Materials Co., Ltd. has become a leader in the localization of ITO target materials.

Following that, Ms. Lily Wang, Head of Marketing and Sales at Beijing Jiya Semiconductor Materials Co., Ltd., delivered an insightful presentation titled “The Current State of Gallium Supply and Opportunities in the Semiconductor Industry.” Ms. Lily Wang provided a detailed overview of the gallium metal industry chain and market, shared an overview of Beijing Jiya’s gallium metal operations, and concluded by outlining the future direction of gallium metal. She noted that demand for gallium metal remains robust in sectors such as permanent magnet materials for new energy vehicles and gallium arsenide, while applications involving gallium nitride and gallium oxide are poised for explosive growth. Founded in 1999, Beijing Jiya Semiconductor Materials Co., Ltd. employs the world’s most advanced hydrometallurgical technology to extract gallium metal from the mother liquor of the Bayer process used in alumina production, with an annual output of approximately 55 tons of 4N gallium metal. Currently, the company’s gallium metal is exported to countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea, while it also serves a large number of domestic clients across the country.

Following the Tea break, Mr. Chen Jie, Manager of Vital Optics Technology Co., Ltd., delivered an insightful presentation titled “Development and Applications of Germanium Products.” Mr. Chen Jie outlined the industrial chain and applications of metallic germanium and provided a detailed analysis of developments on both the supply and demand sides of the market. Vital Optics Technology Co., Ltd. was listed on the ChiNext board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in July 2015, under stock code 300489. The company is a leading national high-tech enterprise specializing in optoelectronic technology. It possesses full-industry-chain, large-scale production capabilities spanning optoelectronic material growth, chip design, key component fabrication, and system integration. The company supplies global customers with advanced materials, precision MEMS chips and detectors, complete systems, image processing software and hardware, as well as customized integrated optoelectronic systems and solutions, covering a spectrum ranging from gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, millimeter waves, to microwaves. The company’s products are widely applicable in fields such as aerospace, satellite communications, the low-altitude economy, driver assistance, emergency rescue, national defense and security, security surveillance, smart manufacturing, agricultural and forestry protection, healthcare, and consumer electronics.

Subsequently, Ms. Wang Zhen, Deputy General Manager of Xianyang Yuehua Bismuth Industry Co., Ltd., delivered an insightful presentation titled “Bismuth-Based Nanocomposites and Their Applications in High-Performance Electronic Ceramics.” Ms. Wang Zhen pointed out that bismuth, as a multifunctional element, has a wide range of applications. The company’s innovative improved coprecipitation synthesis strategy—which enables atomic mixing, precise control of stoichiometric ratios, and the production of fine, uniform, high-quality particles—can be extended to the preparation of other bismuth-based compounds (such as bismuth sulfide and bismuth selenide) as well as other alloy-carbon composite materials. Striving for precision in synthesis: shifting from “using whatever is available” to “producing exactly what is needed,” the company aims to transition from a passive to an active role in the materials sector and make a significant contribution to the industry amid the wave of new quality productivity. Xianyang Yuehua Bismuth Industry Co., Ltd., established in 1992 and located in Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, is a company specializing in non-ferrous metal bismuth and its deep processing. The company has developed over 50 types of bismuth products, which, due to their excellent quality, are widely used in electronics, pharmaceuticals, defense, and metallurgy, earning high recognition from customers. Our products are exported to international markets, including Europe and North America.

Finally, Mr. Bart Udeshi, General Manager of Metals Range, delivered an insightful presentation on “Silicon Pathway: India’s Blueprint for Semiconductors and Critical Metals (2026–2030)”. Mr. Udeshi noted that by 2026, India will transition from a consumer nation to a key producer. He believes that current price trends and forecasts indicate a strong upward trajectory for critical metal prices. For Indian buyers, procuring early and establishing strategic reserves is a prudent move to secure supply, avoid future price hikes, and maintain a competitive edge in manufacturing costs. Founded 52 years ago by Mr. Ranjit Udeshi, Metals Range has become a leading enterprise specializing in the trade of base metals, minor metals, and ferroalloys, with a business network spanning India, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Belarus, and Russia.

As time flies, the In Bi Ge Ga Forum held by Asian Metal is now in its 18th year. The successful hosting of each forum has been inseparable from the strong support and participation of every industry insiders. Asia Metal will continue to reflect the true operating conditions of the market timely, objectively and accurately, striving to provide every clients with information of highest value to help them make market decisions. We will live up to the over 25 years of trust and support from clients both at home and abroad. Let's work hand in hand and meet again next year! The 18th In Bi Ge Ga Forum has come to a successful close.