Possible Implications of Trump’s Re-Election on Critical Raw Materials Dynamics
Donald Trump's re-election as President of the United States is likely to usher in a period fraught with new uncertainties for the critical raw materials sector. The combination of a rollback of climate initiatives, a more challenging trade environment, and a focus on national sovereignty in resource management creates a volatile landscape. Rising tensions between trading partners, potential retaliatory actions, and a slowing of the pace in the shift away from fossil fuel dependency could impact global supply chains. As the world grapples with the challenges of economic uncertainty, conflicts, and climate change, the policies Trump has proposed during his campaign are likely to exacerbate existing uncertainties. At the same time, the world needs increased sustainability, reliable markets, and deeper international cooperation in the raw materials sector.
Quantum Technology: the Next Supply Bottleneck?
The rapid advancement of quantum technology holds the potential for significant societal benefits, including breakthroughs in healthcare and innovations to combat climate change—provided the technology is applied responsibly. It could, for instance, accelerate drug discovery by efficiently simulating molecular interactions or open up the gates to personalized medicine and real-time monitoring of patients’ health. Furthermore, quantum simulation or hybrid quantum computing have the potential to aid the design of batteries and clean energies. And these are only a select few of quantum technology’s many possible applications.
A Warm Welcome to Our New Junior Board
It is with great excitement that we introduce our new Junior Board to IRTC. We recognize the importance of fresh perspectives and... Read More
Multidisciplinary and Intergenerational Collaboration: A Multi-Perspective Study on the Role of Youth in the Raw Materials Environment
In today’s rapidly evolving world, different forms of innovation play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the current youth and... Read More
Insights from our Workshop on Sustainable Finance and Raw Material Value Chains
The workshop aimed to answer the question: What needs to be done for a successful build-up of the CRM value chain, in Europe and globally?
Grand challenges in anticipating and responding to critical materials supply risks
Critical materials are resources that are vulnerable to supply disruptions, where those disruptions can have significant adverse impacts on society. In the coming... Read More
Join the IRTC online course
Become a certified Raw Materials Risk Manager by taking part in our online training taking place from September 23-27. The course equips... Read More
Unveiling the Hidden Costs: Rethinking Nickel Reliance amid Decarbonization Efforts
Nickel's significance for decarbonization efforts is indisputable. Yet, its predominant production in Indonesia raises environmental alarms, marked by high carbon emissions and deforestation. How can we navigate nickel's role in the energy transition?
Spotlight: International Round Table on Materials Criticality (IRTC)
Hool, Alessandra and Schrijvers, Dieuwertje, 2024. "Spotlight: International Round Table on Materials Criticality (IRTC)." Mineral Economics.
Northvolt’s New Sodium-Ion Battery Offers a European Alternative to Lithium Batteries
With its new sodium-ion battery, Northvolt, a Swedish battery developer and manufacturer, is taking a step towards a future of lithium-free batteries. The new battery has an energy density of more than 160 Wh/kg, and first sample cells will be available for selected customers starting in 2024. According to Northvolt, the battery has been designed for electricity storage plants but could also be used in electric vehicles, like two-wheeled scooters, in the future.