[News] Iran Disruptions Reportedly Push Key Resin Materials Up 40% Since Mar., Fueling CCL Hikes Amid AI Demand

Amid Iran-related disruptions, growing shortages and price surges across key semiconductor inputs are increasingly threatening global tech supply chains. According to Nikkei, prices for metals and petrochemical materials have surged sharply amid the Iran war and related blockages in the Strait of Hormuz. Methanol, xylene, and related solvents — key ingredients used to produce industrial resins — have reportedly climbed by at least 40% since March. As the report notes, these resins are essential for producing copper clad laminates (CCLs), a foundational material used in printed circuit boards (PCBs) and chip substrates.

According to TrendForce on Substack, glass fiber cloth — another key raw material for CCL alongside copper foil and resin — accounts for roughly 19% of total CCL costs, while copper foil and resin account for about 42% and 26%, respectively.

CCL suppliers have also begun raising prices. As the report indicates, China’s Kingboard Laminates Holdings raised prices twice in April alone. Meanwhile, Japan’s Mitsubishi Gas Chemical increased prices for some products by 40% in the second half of 2025 and by another 20% in the first quarter of this year.

As noted by Commercial Times, institutional investors say higher raw material costs were the main driver of CCL price increases in the first half of the year. However, even if raw material prices stabilize in the second half, high-end CCL products are still expected to see further price hikes, driven by rising demand for AI GPUs, ASICs, and high-speed switches. The report adds that demand for high-end materials is expected to remain strong through the end of 2027, keeping supply tight in the near term.

Helium and Metal Supply Pressures Deepen

Meanwhile, supply chain concerns are also spreading beyond petrochemical materials and CCLs to helium and metal supplies. Nikkei reports that blockages in the Strait of Hormuz have stranded specialized helium transport tanks, while limited suppliers and strict low-temperature transport requirements could prolong disruptions even after the conflict eases. The report adds that helium prices in China have surged several-fold since the start of the Iran war, while Qatar, which accounts for roughly 33% of global helium supply, has also seen production disrupted.

Beyond helium, Nikkei notes that metal prices have also risen sharply since the start of the U.S.-Iran war. Gold prices have become a growing concern due to the metal’s widespread use in chip testing, while tungsten-related materials have also surged, with ammonium paratungstate (APT), a key benchmark for tungsten production, reaching a record high in 2026 amid China’s export controls and rising Middle East tensions. The metal is widely used in precision drilling equipment and chipmaking gas materials, the report adds.

Read more

• Glass Fiber Cloth: The Underlying Material Shortage in AI Infrastructure
• [News] CCL Market Tightens as Korea Import Prices Reportedly Rise 74.5% YoY; Suppliers Expand on AI Demand
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(Photo credit: Doosan Corporation Electro-Materials on LinkedIn)