The EU and the USA are drawing closer on the issue of critical raw materials, China is expanding its influence over the industry, and in Germany, recycling of rare earth elements is making progress. Find the details in our roundup.
Transatlantic Alliance Aims to Secure Supply Chains
The United States and the European Union intend to significantly deepen their cooperation on critical raw materials. To this end, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington, D.C. on Friday. The agreement envisions collaboration across the entire value chain, from exploration and extraction to processing and recycling.
The initiative comes amid the West’s growing dependence on China for key raw materials such as rare earth elements and germanium.
To the article
Hypromag Launches Rare Earth Recycling Plant in Germany
Recycling is widely regarded as a key pillar in strengthening Europe’s supply of critical raw materials such as rare earth elements. However, recovery rates in this sector have remained low. Hypromag GmbH, a subsidiary of the Canadian resource development company Mkango Resources, aims to change that. This Tuesday, the company officially inaugurates its new recycling and manufacturing facility in Pforzheim, Baden-Württemberg, the first of its kind in Europe, according to the company. The plant will focus on recycling and producing sintered permanent magnets made from rare earth elements. It is based on a technology developed at the University of Birmingham that enables direct magnet-to-magnet recycling.
To the article
Raw Material Extraction: United Nations University Calls for Reforms
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) has examined the consequences of global raw material extraction. According to the authors, worldwide demand for critical minerals needed for the energy transition and digital technologies—such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, copper, and nickel- is expected to roughly quadruple by 2050. For lithium, cobalt, and graphite in particular, increases of around 500 percent are projected. The report highlights a key concern: many of these resources are sourced from regions already facing severe water stress or widespread poverty.
To the article
Tighter Control Over China’s Rare Earth Industry
China’s major consolidation of its rare earth industry has now been completed. The once fragmented market is now dominated by the China Northern Rare Earth Group and the China Rare Earth Group, making it largely state-controlled. Nevertheless, Beijing continues to exert influence over the sector, albeit in a more granular and targeted manner. According to a report by the Global Times on Wednesday, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is planning a new penalty catalogue for violations related to mining, smelting, and other processes in the rare earth supply chain.
To the article
