Secure, sustainable and responsible supplies of raw materials are vitally important to Germany in its capacity as an industrial base and an exporter. In the wake of technological transformation, with electric mobility, the energy transition and digitalisation, raw materials policy plays a crucially important role. The Raw Materials Strategy is also designed to develop a greater awareness of demand and the concomitant challenges for people and the environment in our society.

Efficient use of resources a priority

The total of 17 measures are to help companies ensure secure, responsible and sustainable supplies of raw materials, thus strengthening the competitiveness of German industry and keeping the consumption of primary raw materials to a minimum by enhancing efficiency, including more reuse and recycling.

The objective of the first Raw Materials Strategy

With its first Raw Materials Strategy, the German government put in place a framework for action in 2010, to support companies in their efforts to ensure responsible and sustainable procurement of mineral resources. The strategy was based on the premise that companies are mainly responsible for ensuring supplies of the raw materials they need. The main responsibility of the German government was to provide the political support to flank these measures. Today, the main focus is on changes in demand, trade conflicts, the concentration of market power in the hands of a small number of actors, higher demands for socially and environmentally sound supply chains and guarantees that human rights and due diligence have been respected.