China’s Export Controls on Rare Earths Reignite Debate

At the beginning of October, China introduced new export controls on rare earths, once again highlighting the global dependence on Chinese raw materials. In Switzerland, too, the question of alternative sources of supply is sparking debate.

According to SRF, only small amounts of critical raw materials are currently recovered from electronic waste, even though recycling holds great economic potential. SRF describes a “million-dollar business” that remains largely untapped. Read the article (in German).

The former head of Glencore’s recycling division, Kunal Sinha, has ambitions to change that. He recently announced the founding of the startup Valor, with which he aims to revolutionize the recycling of rare earths. The ESM Foundation emphasizes in the NZZ that recycling is extremely important, but that the total demand for raw materials cannot be covered solely by recycled materials. Read the article (in German).

A new study also shows that Switzerland’s soil contains deposits of copper, manganese, lithium, and rare earths. The NZZ asks whether these could be mined in the future and whether there would be public acceptance for such mining. Read the article (in German).

The difficulties associated with raw material extraction in Europe are analyzed in a documentary from the NZZ Format series. Stream the documentary (in German).

In an episode of the NZZ Geopolitik podcast, the dominance of China in the rare earths sector is explored in greater depth. Listen to the podcast (in German).