Gold makes life safer

Of course, the possession of gold – at least from a certain amount on – can give life more security. In addition to this financial aspect, however, gold possesses the ability in other areas to contribute more to security in everyday life than many people might expect. Gold in the technology sector in the form of gold bonding wires have, in recent years, increasingly been replaced by cheaper alternatives such as copper, but since 2017, thanks to NAND flash memory chips and – above all – security-relevant technologies, demand for gold in the industry has again significantly increased. Especially when it comes to security, reliability is the top priority, not the savings potential in the components used.

Modern authentication and monitoring systems require gold

In industrial applications such as production lines using robots as well as in private life, e.g. regarding smartphones, 3D sensors for fingerprint identification or iris scans are booming. Even modern surveillance technology cannot do without gold bonding wires.

Vehicle safety systems and autonomous driving aided by gold

The fact that an increasing number of safety technologies are installed in new vehicles is due not only to driver-friendly applications such as sensors for parking aids and driver assistance systems, but also to increased legal safety requirements that automotive manufacturers must meet. A prime example is autonomous driving. While currently still struggling with some setbacks, it will become reality, and even everyday life, in the foreseeable future.

In 2017, a total of 265 tonnes of gold were processed in the technology sector, and according to Elvis Chou of Metals Focus, a precious metals consultancy, the prospects for further growth in demand over the coming years are good.