South Korean company Samsung Display, a manufacturer of screens for Apple smartphones and its own devices, has completely stopped purchasing Russian gold, tungsten, and tantalum. This is evidenced by the company's 2024 financial statements published on its website.
Previously, in 2021, 11 Russian factories supplied these metals for the production of displays, including the Novosibirsk Refinery and Krasцветмет.
Samsung Display did not comment on the decision, but experts attribute it to the risk of secondary sanctions. According to experts, the company seeks to minimize legal and reputational risks, especially given its cooperation with Apple.
Gold was used for bonding microcircuits, tungsten for metal wiring in chips, and tantalum served as a barrier between silicon and copper. Supplies of these metals from Russia accounted for 4–6% of the total volume in the electronics industry.
A representative of the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant, which previously appeared in the chain, stated that it did not conclude direct contracts with Samsung — the raw materials could have come through intermediaries.
The rejection of Russian raw materials may increase the cost of the final product by 2–5%, analysts say. However, a source at "Ъ" in the electronics industry believes that Samsung has switched to Asian suppliers without lengthening the chains.
Samsung Display's decision reflects the growing pressure of sanctions on global supply chains.
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