Germany's Federation of Industries (BDI) accuses the federal government of acting too slowly in securing critical raw materials such as lithium and copper. It lacks a clear strategy to reduce dependencies on countries like China. The association calls for more investments and faster measures.
In Berlin, the Federation of German Industries (BDI) has sharply criticized the federal government. Wolfgang Niedermark, a member of the BDI executive board, told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) that while policymakers have recognized the topic's importance, a clear strategy is lacking. Germany has made little progress in reducing one-sided dependencies, and the existing measures by the federal government and the EU are initial steps that fall short.
The BDI sees untapped potential in Germany and Europe, including deposits of lithium, copper, and rare earths. The industry has top competencies in extraction, processing, and recycling. Industrial policy must consider the entire value chain, from raw material extraction to the end product.
Specifically, the BDI demands a clear commitment to domestic raw material extraction, competitive energy and electricity costs, and faster approval processes. It calls for "targeted incentives so that raw materials extracted in Germany are also processed, recycled, and purchased here." Without political support, such projects are hardly viable. RND research showed that primarily foreign corporations are prospecting for raw materials in Germany without obligation to supply the local or European market.
In international comparison, Europe acts too slowly, too complexly, and too fragmentedly, warned Niedermark: "In a system competition, that is not enough." China strategically uses its market power, while the US attracts projects with subsidies. The federal government should approach strategic projects more decisively, similar to the rapid construction of LNG terminals. Investments in value chains and security policy guidelines are needed. The goal is a raw materials security ecosystem in cooperation with reliable partners like Australia, Canada, Japan, or the United Kingdom.
