China's export curbs on tungsten squeeze micro drill bits used to make AI chip substrates

Beijing's export restrictions on tungsten have disrupted supplies of tungsten-carbide micro drill bits used to bore holes in PCBs and AI chip substrates, with prices rising sharply. Taiwan's Topoint is a key bit manufacturer; Japan's Sumitomo Electric and Mitsubishi Materials are racing to develop low-tungsten alternatives and shift sourcing toward Vietnam to reduce China dependency.