U.S. DOE Launches TRACE-Ga to Secure Domestic Gallium Supply

The U.S. Department of Energy has announce a new initiative called TRACE-Ga, designed to establish a reliable domestic supply of gallium, a critical material for semiconductors and advanced electronics. 

The move comes as the U.S. seeks to reduce dependence on foreign imports amid rising geopolitical tensions and export restrictions.

The U.S. has not produced primary gallium domestically in nearly 40 years, relying instead on imports that now face growing uncertainty. 

Gallium is essential for gallium nitride (GaN) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) devices, which power high-performance computing, RF communications, 5G networks, LEDs, and solar applications.

Under TRACE-Ga, the DOE will provide up to $6 million in funding to projects capable of recovering gallium from existing industrial feedstocks such as aluminum or zinc processing streams. 

Selected projects will be required to demonstrate the ability to produce at least 50 kilograms of high-purity gallium during a continuous 14-day run, with the long-term goal of scaling to 1 metric ton annually.

Supply Chain Impact

The initiative has broad implications for the electronics ecosystem:

• Semiconductors: Secured access to gallium will strengthen GaN and GaAs device production for 5G, RF, and high-performance computing.
• Renewable Energy: Stable supply supports high-efficiency LEDs, solar receivers, and power electronics for wind and storage.
• Defense & Aerospace: Domestic sourcing mitigates risks for radar, satellites, and secure communications.
  
  

The DOE is partnering with ENERGYWERX to accelerate collaboration with non-traditional technology developers, focusing on scalable and commercially viable recovery solutions, taking the crucial step toward insulating critical industries from supply shocks and supporting innovation in next-generation electronics and renewable energy infrastructure.