Securing Europe’s Clean Tech Future

Critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements are indispensable for the Dutch and European cleantech industry. Our dependence on countries outside Europe for the import of these materials is increasing. Invest-NL asked The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) to investigate how voluntary, public-private reserves of critical raw materials can contribute to a resilient European industry.

The HCSS report ‘Securing Europe’s Clean Tech Future’ shows that voluntary stockpiling, supported by public capital, can help absorb shocks in the raw materials supply chain and offer companies greater price stability. Based on conversations with thirteen Dutch cleantech companies and seven logistics and recycling parties, the report presents a practical four-step model for planning, purchasing, managing, and deploying reserves.