Critical Raw Materials
Building sustainable supply chains for critical minerals
As governments and companies seek to secure and diversify access to Critical Raw Materials (CRM), a complex set of decisions lie ahead.
On the policy side, the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) - anticipating a six-fold increase in demand for certain metals within the EU by 2030 - strives to diversify supply and streamline procurement through stipulated requirements such as supply chain audits, procedural alignment and strict rules around ethical practices. Strategies in Canada and Australia, for example, target securing supply, encouraging Indigenous participation and promoting responsible practices.
Upstream, private sector efforts to ramp up extraction and refining face financial and sustainability hurdles, whilst downstream users across industrial and defence sectors are trialling business models and technology solutions which help reduce dependencies.
With extensive experience of international policy, regulatory frameworks and sustainability programmes, our experts provide support throughout every aspect of the CRM market. Whether helping governments to refine legislation, guiding suppliers towards certification, or assisting procurement teams in sourcing materials, we offer the insights, tools and professional connections that organisations know they can trust.
Supporting the entire CRM value chain
Upstream
- Market assessments and projections
- Macroeconomic modelling of value chains
- Business models for extraction and refining
- Supply chain analysis
- Sustainability advisory
- Decarbonisation roadmaps
- Environmental Impact Assessments
- Water management
- Social value assessments
Midstream
- Business case and investment advice
- Feasibility studies
- Energy management in mineral processing and refining
- Responsible business conduct and ESG
Downstream
- Product design and manufacturing
- Exposure scenarios and data verification related to human contact with substances of concern
- Circular economy
- Demand and availability forecast
- Life-cycle assessment
- Macroeconomic modelling
- Trade and geopolitical analysis
- Geopolitical analysis
“De-risking critical mineral supply chains is an imperative for governments and corporates alike, and can be achieved based on three pillars: circular economy, substitution technologies and strategic supply diversification.
”
Lorenzo Casullo
European Regional Director - Policy Strategy and Economics
What are Critical Raw Materials
Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) are defined as minerals and metals deemed vital to the functioning of modern economies.
Silicon, Titanium, Cobalt and Copper, for example, are core components of technologies in aerospace, healthcare and many of the consumer digital products used in day-to-day life. Low-carbon technologies, in particular, are dependent upon them: aluminium is used in solar panels, whilst lithium and nickel feature in battery cathodes for electric vehicles.
However, with global demand sharply rising, and many nations dependent on importing CRM from a relatively small number of geographically concentrated suppliers, these important resources are susceptible to volatile supply chains, with limited substitute options available.
As such, maintaining a secure and sustainable supply to CRMs has become a major strategic priority for governments and trading blocs throughout the world.
