Germanium is one of the most important raw materials for the production of fiber optic cables. As an optical waveguide, it plays a key role in the global expansion of fiber optic networks and the 5G mobile network. Another important application is infrared optics, in which crystalline germanium is processed into infrared-permeable glass and lenses. Specific applications include night vision devices and thermal imaging cameras.
Another major consumer is the plastics industry, which uses the raw material in oxide form as a polymerization catalyst. The metal is also used as a semiconductor in electronics and photovoltaics.