Critical Minerals Factbook
Facility

Umicore Olen germanium complex

Umicore states that it recycles germanium in Olen, derives more than half of its germanium feed from secondary sources, and operates refining and substrate activities covered by two EU strategic projects.

Facts on this page last re-verified Aug 18, 2026 — the oldest verification date among its current claims. How we verify.

Location: Olen, Antwerp, Belgium

Recycling

Germanium recycling and refining line

Operating

Closed-loop recovery and refining of germanium-bearing waste streams

Material flow

Germanium-Bearing Scrap → Refined Germanium Metal

Capacity

No capacity claim. Absence of a figure means no source publishes one.

Qualification

No qualification claim. Status does not imply qualified output.

Compound chemicals

High-purity germanium chemicals line

Operating

Conversion of refined germanium into high-purity intermediate chemicals

Material flow

Refined Germanium Metal → Germanium Tetrachloride, Germanium Dioxide

Capacity

No capacity claim. Absence of a figure means no source publishes one.

Qualification

No qualification claim. Status does not imply qualified output.

Crystal substrate

Germanium crystal and substrate line

Operating

Germanium crystal growth and semiconductor substrate production

Material flow

Refined Germanium Metal → Germanium Bulk Crystal, Germanium Wafer

Capacity

No capacity claim. Absence of a figure means no source publishes one.

Qualification

No qualification claim. Status does not imply qualified output.

Sources