Roundup – Critical Raw Materials News of Week 8

by | 20. Feb 2026 - 20:00 | Economy

With China celebrating the Lunar New Year, industrial activity in the country is taking a breather, and with it, lots of the critical minerals markets. As a result, Western nations have taken center stage this week, advancing new strategic partnerships and cooperation initiatives. 

India and France Cooperate on Rare Earths 
India and France aim to expand their bilateral cooperation across several strategic sectors, including critical raw materials such as rare earth elements. While the subcontinent possesses vast but largely untapped reserves of these resources, the European country is currently strengthening its downstream industrial base. 
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Mutually Beneficial: U.S. and Uzbekistan to Strengthen Investment Ties 
The United States and Uzbekistan intend to deepen their cooperation. On Wednesday, a framework agreement was concluded in Washington, D.C., to promote joint investments in energy, infrastructure, and critical minerals. In the latter case, the entire value chain, from mining to downstream processing, will be a central focus. 
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Energy Security as a Driver of Innovation: New Technologies and Critical Raw Materials in Focus 
The energy sector is increasingly evolving into a powerhouse of innovation, and a multi-trillion-dollar market: around ten percent of all patents now originate from the sector, exceeding those from chemistry, pharmaceuticals, or transport. This is one of the key findings of the new report “The State of Energy Innovation 2026” by the International Energy Agency (IEA), an in-depth analysis of the global energy innovation landscape.  
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