This week saw numerous new initiatives aimed at strengthening access to critical resources. The EU launched its joint procurement platform with hydrogen leading the way, while the Quad nations introduced a minerals initiative to boost supply chain resilience. Japan, meanwhile, forged ahead with plans for deep-sea rare earth extraction.
EU Launches Joint Procurement Platform – Hydrogen Leads the Way
As announced last week, the European Commission officially launched its joint purchasing initiative for energy carriers and raw materials today. The first mechanism to go live is the “Hydrogen Mechanism”, which aims to match supply and demand for hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and sustainable aviation fuels. According to the Commission, additional platforms for critical raw materials and gases, such as biomethane, are expected to follow in the coming months.
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Quad Nations Launch Critical Minerals Initiative
The Quad nations, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, have launched a joint Critical Minerals Initiative to strengthen and diversify supply chains, with a focus on recycling and private-sector investment. Announced at the 10th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington, the move aims to reduce reliance on dominant players in the global critical minerals market.
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Japan to Extract Rare Earths From its Ocean Floor
More than a decade after discovering vast rare earth deposits near one of its remote Pacific islands, Japan is moving closer to commercial deep-sea resource extraction. According to Nikkei Asia, a pilot test is set to begin in January 2026. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) will deploy a scientific vessel to a site 100 to 150 kilometers off Minami-Torishima, a small coral island roughly 1,950 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. The vessel will lower a pipe 5,500 meters to the seafloor, where it will collect mud containing the coveted critical minerals.
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Bismuth: A Niche Metal Faces Supply Constraints
Bismuth is often overlooked in the broader conversation about critical raw materials, yet it plays a vital role in various applications, including electronics manufacturing, medicine, and even fire safety. Following China’s addition of the metal to its list of export-controlled items in February, exports have fallen drastically. Since March, no high-purity metal has been exported. However, other forms are gaining traction as potential workarounds.
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Raw Material Security: Italy Aims to Revive Domestic Mining Sector
As part of the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, domestic mining is set to play a greater role. Italy has now launched a geological research initiative to explore and develop new mineral deposits, marking the country’s first large-scale project of this kind in 30 years. The program also includes mapping mining waste that may be suitable for alternative resource recovery. The initiative is being carried out by Italy’s Geological Survey, with 3.5 million euros allocated for the first phase.
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