News: Suppliers
30 January 2026
5N+ awarded $18.1m US grant to boost germanium production capacity
Specialty semiconductor and performance materials producer 5N Plus Inc (5N+) of Montréal, Québec, Canada has been awarded a US$18.1m grant by the US Government to expand capabilities and increase capacity to recycle and refine germanium at its St. George, Utah facility, to feed optics and solar germanium crystal supply chains.
In support of the US government’s Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production Executive Order, the award will enable 5N+ to gradually increase its capabilities to recover germanium from industrial residues and mining by-products over the course of the next 48 months. In time, it should enable 5N+ to valorize up to 20 metric tons of high-purity germanium per year. Combined with its existing sourcing capabilities, this will position the firm to meet rapidly growing demand for germanium-based technological applications in the USA.
“This award reinforces our unique leadership position as a trusted partner with the sourcing, refining and manufacturing expertise to supply high-purity specialty semiconductors to key customers for mission-critical applications,” says president & CEO Gervais Jacques.
5N+ manufactures and customizes high-purity, dislocation-free, electrically uniform and space-qualified germanium wafers, which are vital for infrared optics, night-vision systems, surveillance windows, electro-optical/infrared (EOIR) applications and solar cells powering commercial and national security satellites.
US DOD awards 5N Plus $14.4m to enhance space-qualified germanium substrate supply
