Tungsten Powder Supply Chain Issues & Impact
ABSTRACT
Tungsten powder is a critical material in semiconductor manufacturing, used in interconnects, contacts, and other components that require reliable electrical performance. As semiconductor devices continue to advance, maintaining a stable supply of high-purity tungsten has become increasingly important. The industry faces growing supply chain risks due to the concentration of mining, processing, and refining capacity in a limited number of regions. Geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions, regulatory changes, and market volatility can all affect availability, lead times, and costs. Demand for tungsten is expected to increase as growth in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, automotive electronics, advanced memory, and industrial automation drives semiconductor production. To strengthen supply chain resilience, the broader industry ecosystem—including material suppliers, IDMs, OEMs, industry associations, and policymakers—must work together to diversify sources, expand recycling efforts, improve supply chain visibility, and invest in critical materials infrastructure. A secure and resilient tungsten supply chain will be essential to supporting future semiconductor innovation and growth.
BIOGRAPHY
Rachel Potter is Executive Vice President and Global Head of Specialty Gases at EMD Electronics, the Electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. In this role, she focuses on elevating external customer engagement, accelerating execution of strategic initiatives and aligning product roadmaps to emerging industry needs across the semiconductor ecosystem.
Before joining EMD Electronics, Rachel served as Business Director, Chemical Intermediates at BASF Corporation. There, she led a $380 million portfolio and guided a high-performing team to advance innovation and sustainability priorities. Known for her strength in business development and strategic planning, she has delivered strong commercial results, including securing significant capital investment to support growth projects.
Rachel holds an MBA from Wake Forest University and a PhD in Organic Chemistry. She brings a combination of technical depth and business leadership to help customers and partners translate new demands into scalable, market-ready solutions.