Glass cloth could be the next great AI shortage, as major manufacturers scramble to secure critical material — Japanese manufacturer courted by Apple, Nvidia, Google, and Amazon

Major tech companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Nvidia are facing a shortage of glass cloth fibers, crucial for component production, with Japanese manufacturer Nitto Boseki at the center of the supply race. The high demand for T-Glass fibers, known for facilitating high-speed data transmission, is causing supply chain disruptions and could impact consumer electronics production. Efforts by companies like Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm to secure alternative sources may not yield significant results, as Japanese manufacturers currently dominate the market. The shortage is expected to persist until 2027, potentially leading to supply constraints, increased costs, and launch delays for next-generation devices, impacting the AI industry's growth in 2026.