Europe faces a pivotal challenge in securing access to rare earth elements (REEs), the critical inputs behind the continent's green and digital transitions. With over 80% of global REE processing controlled by China, Europe's reliance on external sources leaves it vulnerable to geopolitical shocks, supply disruptions, and price volatility. Despite growing demand in sectors such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense, the EU lacks both upstream mining and midstream refining capabilities at scale. Strategic autonomy requires a bold shift—building domestic processing infrastructure, fostering alliances with resource-rich yet stable nations, and developing strategic stockpiles. The European Critical Raw Materials Act has laid a policy foundation, but execution remains slow and fragmented. Without urgent investment and coordinated industrial strategy, Europe risks becoming a technological taker rather than a driver. REEs are not just a materials issue—they are now a sovereignty issue at the core of Europe’s economic and geopolitical future.
Polymetallic metals
Europe’s industrial future hinges on access to critical materials like cobalt and rare earths—but it is dangerously behind global rivals. While China has secured upstream assets and controls over 80% of refining capacity, and the U.S. is rapidly stockpiling under a national security strategy, Europe remains fragmented and exposed. As the global order shifts toward resource sovereignty, the continent risks becoming a passive consumer in a world of strategic producers. Without rapid investment in upstream assets, midstream capacity, and a coordinated European stockpiling mechanism, Europe’s green transition and industrial competitiveness may stall. This newsletter explores the structural gaps and outlines how Steencore is working to build resilient, geopolitically secure supply chains for the next decade.
60 percent of the world's cobalt supplies are mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The precious metal is used in a wide range of products and machines, including rechargeable batteries and e-cars. But large mining companies are driving out the population of entire villages. And then there are the dangerous illegal mines where it's often children who toil away in the tunnels.
LOS ANGELES, July 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- USA News Group –– Automakers have been among the first to seek ethical supplies of cobalt and now are going as far as to claim they will by only buy from producers who offering proven responsible sources. BMW, among others, are leading the charge... USA News Group News Commentary
60% of the world’s cobalt - which is used in EV batteries - comes from DR Congo, but how are carmakers safeguarding workers’ rights? Should more be done to safeguard workers’ conditions in the cobalt mining industry?
Scientists warn of “huge implications for our natural resources” as government pushes for rapid adoption of electric cars... Do you think electric cars are still the future of motoring?