The entire high-tech sector depends on materials with limited supplies concentrated in a few countries. The great powers (USA, China and the European Union) compete in a global race to achieve mineral security. Whoever has access to the exploitation of lithium, copper, titanium, cobalt or platinum mines will have an advantage in key industries such as defense or renewable energies. It will generate jobs and his companies will be profitable. The European Union has approved a list of 30 critical matters that are considered vital for high-level technology.

Many of these minerals are widely available and the supply comes from countries that have good trade and political relations with the EU. The weak point of this strategy is the heavy dependence on so-called rare earths. China is the main supplier of 20 of the 30 critical raw materials on this list of essential materials. Through recycling, Europe can recover these materials and put them back into circulation in its economy. Currently Europe does not recover lithium and nor any rare earths. It is estimated that, through recycling, between 40 and 75% of Europe’s clean metal needs could be obtained in 2050.