We Need Ukrainian Neon: The Effects of War on Chip Making
April 15, 2022
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The war in Ukraine has many effects. First and foremost, it is destroying the lives of the Ukrainian people along with the lives of many Russians. There are also less direct effects that have to do with Ukraine not being in "normal working order." Resources are unavailable, energy sources are overtaken, and logistics are literally broken — whilst the population is either hiding, fighting or fleeing. Many European countries are now showing that we can actually let refugees across our borders and into our lives with open arms. In a humanitarian crisis, most of us try to help. I do hope this new very accepting refugee policy might lead to a better EU-wide refugee policy for all people who are fleeing war and disaster. Let's focus for a moment on the effect of war on the neon supply and the process of making chips.
There are two companies in Ukraine that used to provide up to 50% of the global neon gas market: Cryoin in Odessa and Ingas in Mariupol.
The process that uses Neon to make chips could be upgraded to clean and recycle this noble gas. A few installations have recently done so, as they already had a scare around the situation in Ukraine in 2016. But most installations still vent their neon gas and need a regular supply of it to keep making chips. Current supplies are estimated to last various chip makers between three and six months. Will we be looking at another chip shortage? The answer to this question of course depends entirely on how long the war in Ukraine is going to last, what is still standing at the end of it, and in what country.
Recent chip shortages have made us more aware of our interdependencies in the chain. Both the US and the EU have reserved billions to invest in “domestic semiconductor research, design and manufacturing,” but I don’t think even they intended to build an independent closed-loop chip manufacturing chain.
This change in Ukrainian neon gas is asking us the type of question that I think the climate crisis is going to ask us more and in various ways: How responsible for each other do we feel? Will we try to rely on ourselves or on each other?
Priscilla Haring-Kuipers writes about technology from a social science perspective. She is especially interested in technology supporting the good in humanity and a firm believer in effect research. She has an MSc in Media Psychology and makes This Is Not Rocket Science happen. Haring-Kuipers was a panelist at the 2021 World Ethical Electronics Forum.
Neon
What especially concerns our market is the neon gas that we are no longer getting from Ukraine. It is a gas that is needed in a number of chip-making processes. Please watch this excellent explainer video from the Asianometry channel.There are two companies in Ukraine that used to provide up to 50% of the global neon gas market: Cryoin in Odessa and Ingas in Mariupol.
The process that uses Neon to make chips could be upgraded to clean and recycle this noble gas. A few installations have recently done so, as they already had a scare around the situation in Ukraine in 2016. But most installations still vent their neon gas and need a regular supply of it to keep making chips. Current supplies are estimated to last various chip makers between three and six months. Will we be looking at another chip shortage? The answer to this question of course depends entirely on how long the war in Ukraine is going to last, what is still standing at the end of it, and in what country.
Recent chip shortages have made us more aware of our interdependencies in the chain. Both the US and the EU have reserved billions to invest in “domestic semiconductor research, design and manufacturing,” but I don’t think even they intended to build an independent closed-loop chip manufacturing chain.
Alone or Together
Underneath this lies a more philosophical question: Do we value interdependency over self-reliance? We have just begun to show some responsibility for many parts of our lives that are being created elsewhere. Will we accept that we are all intertwined, that we all need peace and prosperity, and that this makes us at least in part responsible for maintaining this? Do we see our resource dependency as a threat to shareholders and our consumer lifestyles or a sign of our shared humanity? Do we force installations to scrub and recycle to reduce the necessity for others?This change in Ukrainian neon gas is asking us the type of question that I think the climate crisis is going to ask us more and in various ways: How responsible for each other do we feel? Will we try to rely on ourselves or on each other?
Priscilla Haring-Kuipers writes about technology from a social science perspective. She is especially interested in technology supporting the good in humanity and a firm believer in effect research. She has an MSc in Media Psychology and makes This Is Not Rocket Science happen. Haring-Kuipers was a panelist at the 2021 World Ethical Electronics Forum.
WEEF 2022
Elektor launched the World Ethical Electronics Forum (WEEF) in 2021 to inspire global innovators in electronics with an open discussion about ethics and sustainable development goals. Visit the WEEF webpage to watch the 2021 event and to stay informed about Elektor's plans for the upcoming WEEF 2022, which will take place in November.Read full article
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