market commentary
The Age of Resource Fragmentation:
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.
Car Makers Look to Lock Up Cobalt Supplies From Responsible Sources
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
Is cobalt the electric car’s dirty secret?
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?
UK electric cars will require twice the world’s supply of cobalt
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?