Core Insights - The aerospace and semiconductor suppliers in the U.S. are facing a severe shortage of rare earth elements, particularly yttrium and scandium, leading to some suppliers refusing orders from clients [1][9][10] Group 1: Yttrium Shortage - Yttrium is critical for manufacturing high-temperature coatings that prevent engine and turbine melting, and its shortage has led to a 60% price increase since November, now approximately 69 times higher than a year ago [10] - Some coating manufacturers have started rationing raw materials due to the yttrium shortage, and two North American companies have temporarily halted production [10][11] - One company is prioritizing large clients, including engine manufacturers, by refusing orders from smaller and overseas clients [10] Group 2: Scandium Shortage - The U.S. semiconductor manufacturers are also facing a critical shortage of scandium, which poses risks for the production of next-generation 5G chips [6][13] - Global annual production of scandium is only a few dozen tons, and it plays a vital role in fuel cells, aerospace aluminum alloys, and advanced chip processing [13] - The current domestic production of scandium in the U.S. is zero, with existing inventories likely sufficient for only a few months [14]