Vulnerable Europe: “Utilising our own technological capabilities for raw materials”
Increasing geopolitical pressure, particularly Chinese sanctions on key raw materials, is highlighting Europe’s vulnerability when it comes to security of supply. Delays and even jeopardising production in industrial value chains are the result. “The VDMA is therefore calling for a consistent European raw materials strategy. Further raw materials partnerships must be concluded at EU level. In addition, we must utilise the existing technological capabilities in Europe to advance raw material extraction, processing and recycling in the sense of a circular economy,” demands VDMA Managing Director Thilo Brodtmann (Figure 1). He points to the technical expertise of the mechanical and plant engineering sector: Mining and recycling technology from European production makes a decisive contribution to broadening Europe’s raw material base and keeping valuable minerals in the production cycle.
“Access to raw materials is crucial to Europe’s competitiveness as a business location,” emphasises Marcus Wirtz, Chairman of the Executive Board of the VDMA Mining & Minerals Association. “Our companies provide the technology to sustainably develop domestic and European deposits – and at the same time industrially establish and expand the circular economy so that it can be used economically and efficiently.”
With machines and systems for the extraction, processing and recovery of mineral raw materials, the industry makes a decisive contribution to security of supply. The VDMA Mining Association accompanies delegations to countries rich in raw materials, including in Europe, such as last November to Serbia, where talks with various departments of Rio Tinto and a tour of the world’s largest known lithium deposit in the Jadar Valley were on the programme. At the same time, the member companies are working on solutions to efficiently recover secondary raw materials and return them to the material cycle.
“Keeping raw materials in the cycle is not only ecologically sensible – it is becoming an industrial policy necessity,” emphasises Christoph Danner, Deputy Managing Director of VDMA Mining & Minerals. Sarah Brückner, Managing Director of VDMA Waste and Recycling Technology, adds: “With the technology of our member companies, we are creating the conditions for resource-saving processes along the entire life cycle.” (VDMA/Si.)
