Datacenters face direct hit from China rare earth curbs, as clock runs out on escalated licensing chokeoff
Paused export controls on materials used in key IT components due for review in November
The IEEE is warning that China’s export controls on rare earth minerals could start to impact datacenters, as shipments of some key materials are down 75 percent and Beijing is due to review its policies this November.
The techie org's official publication, IEEE Spectrum, focuses on two rare earths in particular, erbium and yttrium, which are used in components for IT equipment. Exports of yttrium are down by about 75 percent this year in comparison with 2025. Yttriumwas one of seven medium and heavy rare earth elements that China placed under mandatory licensing in its first wave of restrictions in 2025.
Yttrium is used in white LED lights and displays, microwave filters, and solid-state lasers, and also in ceramic capacitors found in pretty much all electronic kit. Erbium is used in the amplifier...
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