Multiple factors drive the price surge of tungsten hexafluoride, and whether domestic alternatives can seize the opportunity remains to be seen.

Tungsten hexafluoride is an indispensable high-end electronic specialty gas in the semiconductor industry. Due to its excellent electrical properties, it is widely used in chemical vapor deposition processes. According to foreign media reports, in early April 2026, affected by a shortage of upstream raw material supplies, Japan's Kanto Denka Kogyo and Central Glass issued written emergency warnings about tungsten hexafluoride supply to major global chip manufacturers. The two companies made it clear that their high-purity tungsten powder inventory can only sustain production through May to June, and supply for the second half of 2026 cannot be guaranteed due to depletion of raw materials. They strongly advised customers to immediately diversify their procurement channels. Estimates suggest that impacted by Japanese companies' supply cuts, the global tungsten hexafluoride supply gap will reach about 2,000 tons per year. The market believes the overseas supply crisis is expected to significantly accelerate the domestic substitution and overseas business development of tungsten hexafluoride. In response to intense market discussions, several related companies have issued clarifications. China Shipbuilding Special Gas announced that recently some downstream customers have discussed increasing orders for tungsten hexafluoride products with the company, but no new long-term or large substantive order agreements have been signed so far. There is considerable uncertainty regarding subsequent cooperation and impact on company business performance. Heyaun Gas stated that its tungsten hexafluoride products are still in trial production, with no substantive orders signed and no business performance generated. Haohua Technology reported that revenue from tungsten hexafluoride products accounted for only 0.13% of its operating income in 2025, representing a low proportion and not having significant impact on company performance.