Tropical Storm Helene Disrupts High-Purity Quartz Supply in Spruce Pine, Impacting Semiconductor Industry
Spruce Pine, North Carolina, faces challenges following Tropical Storm Helene, impacting its crucial role in the global semiconductor supply chain. Home to high-purity quartz, essential for semiconductor manufacturing, the town’s recovery is vital for maintaining steady chip production amid rising demand. With operations temporarily halted by The Quartz Corp and Sibelco, experts warn of potential supply chain disruptions if delays extend. The aftermath of the storm highlights the interconnectedness of local economies and global industries, emphasizing the importance of Spruce Pine in the tech sector.
The World’s Only Producer of Quartz for Semiconductor Manufacturing
Two mines in North Carolina are the world’s only producer of the quartz necessary for semiconductor manufacturing. If they were to stop operating, it would mean a few years of catastrophic disruption, says Wharton professor Ethan Mollick. Spruce Pine, a small town in North Carolina, is home to these crucial mines, which are the sole supplier of the quartz required to make the crucibles needed to refine silicon wafers. The importance of these mines to the global semiconductor industry and solar photovoltaic markets has been highlighted in various media and publications.