BEIJING – China will reduce rare earth export quotas 30% next year to protect its precious metal supplies, the China Ministry of Commerce said.

China already cut 2010 production and export quotas 72% for the second half to 7,976 tons, based on ministry data.

If the current rate of production holds steady, medium and heavy rare earths reserves could dry up within 15 to 20 years, an anonymous spokesperson says, according to published reports. China produces 95% of the world supply.

Domestic deposits fell to 27 million tons by the end of last year, 30% of the world's total explored reserves, down 37.2% compared to levels in 1996. 

The US holds an estimated 15% of the world's reserves, but relies on imports.

TOKYO – Japanese printed circuit board manufacturers reported August sales of ¥60.05 billion, up 10.1% year-over-year and down 4.9% sequentially.

Shipments reached 1.46 million sq. meters, down 12.5% sequentially and up 0.5% from last year, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trading and Industry (METI) said.

Year-to-date revenue is up 27% to ¥485.9 billion.

By segment, rigid board revenues were up 13.3% from a year ago, with multilayer PCBs trending even higher. Flexible circuits revenue fell 4.4% during the period on a 13% drop in volume. Buildup type product was up 30%.

“August is historically slow for the Japanese electronics industry due in part to nationwide summer vacations.  Industry production typically decreases during this month; however, this year’s production surpasses last August’s production by almost 60%,” noted analyst Dominique Numakura in his weekly newsletter. “Assuming demand continues on its current trend, growth should be 15 to 20% higher than last year.”

¥1 = $0.0123