Technology-critical metals such as rare earths, lithium and cobalt are essential for emerging clean-energy technologies including electric vehicle batteries, and permanent magnets used in efficient motors and generators. Demand for these materials is expected to grow exponentially over the next 20 years as a result of the global race towards next generation clean-energy technologies.
Chaired by Sir John Beddington and convened by experts from the Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements and Critical Materials (BCSECM), part of the University’s Birmingham Energy Institute, the commission’s report entitled “Securing Technology-Critical Metals for Britain” was produced in collaboration with leading academic, industry and public sector experts representing affected industries including automotive, aerospace, offshore wind, pharmaceuticals, metals processing, and recycling.
The report highlights the need for the UK to develop a proactive strategy in its acquisition and management of these materials, to keep pace with other national strategies such as those developed by the US, Japan, the EU and China.
“Our ability to deliver on our international commitments will doubtless be enabled or constrained by our access to the technology-critical metals that underpin the clean energy transition” said Sir John Beddington. “It is important to recognise the consequences that supply constraints on technology-critical metals could have on our future prosperity. Whilst there are immediate challenges that we face, we can anticipate more in the future - it is essential to be prepared.”
Professor Allan Walton, Co-Director of the BCSECM and one of the report’s authors, added that securing adequate material supply is critical to securing our place in the race to develop clean energy technologies and that establishing strategies for obtaining raw materials, together with strategic investment in processing technologies able to convert both primary and secondary sources of materials into high-performance components, will be a crucial step.
The report identifies several key approaches to the critical materials challenge:
Prioritise technology-critical metals in UK Research and Innovation strategies
Seek opportunities to diversify access to critical material sources, including collaborating with other nations to expand the global supply chain
Invest in the UK’s ability and capacity to process technology-critical metals at both first use and recycling stages; this will reduce reliance on overseas supply chains
Establish a UK Technology-Critical Metals Observatory to act as a central information point for government
Review waste management law with a view to removing barriers to recycling and reusing technology-critical metals
Create a single body responsible for developing access to critical materials and developing effective collaboration between key government departments
A launch event and discussion of the report will be held on the 27th April 2021 10.30-12.30 am
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