[Argon gas prices have risen by more than 40% in two weeks. Industry: By-product attributes bring high profit elasticity] On October 21, reporters learned that argon gas prices began to rise rapidly in Q4. Data shows that as of the 20th, liquid argon prices in Northeast and East China have risen to approximately 2,540 yuan/ton and 3,057 yuan/ton respectively. Compared with October 8, prices in the two places increased by 970 yuan/ton and 1,101 yuan/ton respectively, an increase of 38.3% and 49.4%. Industry insiders said in interviews that the start-up of air separation units on the supply side is low, coupled with the continued growth of demand in high-end manufacturing and semiconductor fields, the supply and demand of argon gas has become tense. At the same time, as a by-product of air separation, argon has a low marginal cost, and almost all of the incremental revenue brought about by price increases can be converted into gross profits, thus bringing considerable profits to related companies. (Reporter Fang Yanbo)