The high-purity quartz (HPQ) market was dealt a big blow by flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Spruce Pine, North Carolina, received over 24 inches of rain over three days, halting the two quartz mining operators, Belgium-based Sibelco NV and China's Quartz Corp. Spruce Pine mines produce the most and highest-purity quartz in the world, and there are limited deposits elsewhere. HPQ is vital for manufacturing semiconductors and semiconductor wafers, photovoltaics, and frequency control devices. Chip and passive component buyers should expect increased pricing in the coming months, particularly since there are no firm dates for mines to restart. Meanwhile, due to the storm's wrath on the U.S. Gulf Coast, soft demand and flat-to-declining pricing for ABS and PBT resins will not change materially.