Made by staff from EC Joint Research Centre, 2020, 98 pages.
This study looks at the supply chains of the nine technologies below used in the three strategic sectors renewable energy, e-mobility, defence and aerospace. It also attempts to provide a first answer, based on available knowledge and models, to where future challenges lie and how competition for resources may evolve.

Patricia Alves Dias, Silvia Bobba, Samuel Carrara, Beatrice Plazzotta for EC Joint Research Centre, 2020, 43 pages.
The rare earth elements are currently supplied mainly from China, and with demand increasing at a rapid pace there are fears of supply bottlenecks amid geopolitical tensions. On the other hand, following the rare earth crisis of the early 2010s, increased efforts have been made in terms of geological exploration and the development of alternative technologies, which may mitigate supply risks. This report aims to provide information, data and forecasts that can guide the discussion and put it into context.

By Nikolas Hill, Dan Clarke, Laura Blair, Hetty Menadue (Ricardo Energy & Environment) for EC. Joint Research Centre, 2019, 267 pages.
The objective of the report is providing a strong factual base and techno-economic analysis to address research questions like: How are end-of-life batteries currently processed and what are the emerging plans for the future? What are the perspectives for developing a sustainable value chain for electric vehicle batteries in the EU? What public policies could be envisaged to ensure truly circular lifecycles for traction batteries, and to harness the opportunities for growth and jobs in the EU?

By International Energy Agency IEA, rev. 2022, 287 pages.
Minerals are essential components in many of today’s rapidly growing clean energy technologies – from wind turbines and electricity networks to electric vehicles. Demand for these minerals will grow quickly as clean energy transitions gather pace. This new World Energy Outlook Special Report provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of the complex links between these minerals and the prospects for a secure, rapid transformation of the energy sector.

Report from IRENA - International Renewable Energy Agency, 2022, 204 pages.
The period 2010 to 2021 has witnessed a seismic improvement in the competitiveness of renewables. The global weighted average LCOE of newly commissioned utility‑scale solar PV projects declined by 88% between 2010 and 2021, whilst that of onshore wind fell by 68%, CSP by 68% and offshore wind by 60%.

By Guiomar Calvo, Alicia Valero (both from Univ. Zaragoza, ES). In: Environmental development, 2022, Vol.41, p.100640.
To keep the increase in global average temperature below 2 °C the use of renewable energy sources is essential. There are various scenarios for this energy transition depending on the amounts and types of renewable energies implemented. However, the material requirements to build new renewable power systems is rarely considered.

By Alexander Cimprich (Univ. Waterloo, CA) and others. In: Mineral economics : raw materials report, 2022, 19 pages.
In this article, we explore concrete examples of circularity strategies for critical raw materials (CRMs) in commercial settings with five cases: (1) rhenium in high-pressure turbine components, (2) platinum group metals in industrial catalysts for chemical processing and oil refining, (3) rare earth permanent magnets in computer hard disk drives, (4) various CRMs in consumer electronics, and (5) helium in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines.

By Benjamin Ballinger (University of Queensland, AU) and others. In: Sustainable production and consumption, 2020, Vol.22, p.68-76.
The electric vehicle market is vulnerable to rare earth supply in a 2°C scenario. In 2025, electric vehicle demand for dysprosium and terbium exceeds 2017 supply. A reduction in electric motor rare earth use will mitigate supply chain risk. Diversification of permanent magnet production will also reduce supply chain risk. Decarbonisation pathways should consider supply chain risks to increase realism.

Études de l'Ifri par Raphaël Danino-Perraud, août 2021, 44 pages.
Les ressources minérales jouent un rôle essentiel dans la fabrication des technologies bas carbone et digitales. Leur déploiement accéléré et à grande échelle provoque un changement de paradigme géopolitique lié aux matières premières minérales.

Policy Brief by Agatha Kratz, Charlie Vest, Janka Oertel for European Council on Foreign Relations and the US-based Rhodium Group, May 2022, 14 pages.
Implementing the green energy transition is a core EU goal and is urgent in light of rising global temperatures and new geopolitical realities. China is a core player in green technologies, which potentially creates European over-dependence on China-based supply chains and decisions made in Beijing. Europeans should rapidly reassess their green energy supply chains and take steps to selectively reduce their China exposure, through both strengthened domestic policies and by working with key partners and allies. It is, however, neither possible nor desirable to completely cut China out of these supply chains. European policymakers will instead need to strike a balance between managing China-related risks and continuing to work with Chinese suppliers where necessary, especially as they seek to fast-forward the EU’s transition to a low-carbon economy.