The Russian government has decided to limit the export of inert gases: argon, helium, neon, which are used for the production of semiconductors in the manufacture of microcircuits.

Russia supplies up to 30% of neon from global consumption. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a global shortage of semiconductors has begun in the world, incl. after Ukraine suspended deliveries of neon from two of its factories. Now the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade will determine who will have access to neon, krypton, xenon - key and critical gases for the production of semiconductors, more than 30% of which (inert gases) on the world market are produced in Russia.

The production of inert gases is a very complex and high-tech process. Only five countries in the world have the technology to produce xenon and krypton on an industrial scale. But, as in any other business, even with similar technological processes, the quality of the final product can vary greatly.

Action had been response to new Taiwan sanctions that had been written directly inside US administration.