HCSS
  • News
    • BNR | De Strateeg
    • Columns
    • Draghi Report Series
    • Events
    • Podcasts
  • Publications
    • Publications
      • All Publications
    • Defence & Security
      • Behavioural Influencing in the Military Domain
      • (Nuclear) Deterrence and Arms Control
      • Hybrid Threats
      • Rethinking Fire and Manoeuvre
      • Robotic and Autonomous Systems
      • Strategic Monitor Dutch Police
      • Transnational Organised Crime
    • Geopolitics & Geo-economics
      • China in a Changing World Order
      • Europe in a Changing World Order
      • Europe in the Indo-Pacific
      • Knowledge base on Russia (RuBase)
      • PROGRESS / Strategic Monitor
      • Transatlantic Relations
    • Climate, Energy, Materials & Food
      • Climate and Security
        • International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS)
        • Water, Peace & Security (WPS)
      • Critical Minerals
      • Energy Security
        • Tank Storage in Transition
      • Food Security
    • Strategic Technologies
      • Cyber Policy & Resilience
        • Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC)
      • Emerging Technologies
      • Global Commission on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (GC REAIM)
      • Semiconductors
      • Space
  • Dashboards
    • Dashboards
      • All Dashboards
        • GINA
    • Defence & Security
      • DAMON | Disturbances and Aggression Monitor
      • GINA | Military
      • Nuclear Timeline
    • Geopolitics & Geo-economics
      • Dutch Foreign Relations Index
      • GINA | Diplomatic
      • GINA | Economic
      • GINA | Information
    • Climate, Energy, Materials & Food
      • Agrifood Monitor
      • CRM Dashboard
    • Strategic Technologies
      • Cyber Arms Watch
      • Cyber Comparator
      • Cyber Norms Observatory
      • Cyber Transparency
  • Services
    • HCSS Boardroom
    • HCSS Datalab
    • HCSS Socio-Political Instability Survey
    • Strategic Capability Gaming
    • Studio HCSS
    • Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School 2024
    • Southern Africa-Netherlands Cyber Security School 2025
  • NATO Summit
  • GC REAIM
    • GC REAIM | Members
    • GC REAIM | Conferences
    • GC REAIM | Partners, Sponsors, Supporters
  • About HCSS
    • Contact Us
    • Our People
    • Funding & Transparency
    • Partners & Clients
    • HCSS Newsletter
    • HCSS Internship Programme
    • Press & Media Inquiries
    • Working at HCSS
    • Global Futures Foundation
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

News

New report | Advancing European Mineral Security: Insights from the Dutch industry

November 8, 2023

Access to critical raw materials (CRM) is vital for the most essential sectors of the European Union’s society and economy including energy, transport, digital technologies, health, defence, and space. But the EU and its member states face a major challenge: demand for CRM is on the rise, and it is unsure whether sufficient supplies at affordable prices will be available to match the needs of a green, competitive and secure EU. Great power competition and increasing protectionist tendencies are already severely impacting CRM supply security. Geopolitical clout is increasingly intertwined with the control of CRM and strategic technologies, enabling supplier states to coerce others to align with their geopolitical interests.

As a result, the EU and its member states are moving fast in response to the changing geopolitical setting, taking proactive measures to build resilience into CRM supply chains. In March 2023, the European Commission introduced the proposals for European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The Netherlands is busy with the implementation of the Nederlandse Grondstoffenstrategie, adopted in December 2022. The two acts have a similar goal – to bolster domestic CRM production while simultaneously enhancing supply chain resilience through international collaboration.

Download link report (PDF)

This new HCSS report, commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explores the challenges and opportunities for Dutch companies to expand their presence in the CRM sector and contribute to diversified and resilient supply chains. The study aims to inform the implementation of the Nederlandse Grondstoffenstrategie and European Critical Raw Materials Act by offering recommendations on how the Dutch government can support companies in diversifying CRM supply chains.

This report builds on insights from over 30 interviews with industry representatives from the Netherlands. It contributes to the existing debate on CRM in two ways; (1) by providing up-to-date information about the capabilities of companies active in the CRM sector in the Netherlands; (2) by offering first-hand insights from the industry about the challenges and opportunities to strengthen their position within global supply chains.

Achieving the goals of the EU CRMA and the Nederlandse Grondstoffenstrategie requires a comprehensive approach to revitalize domestic industry, empowering it to diversify supply sources and strengthen supply security. Creating the necessary conditions for companies to stay competitive – i.e., an enabling socio-political, economic and legislative environment – is an essential step in creating opportunities for further expansion. Issues must be addressed in relation to public opinion, limited dialogue with the government,  fragmentation of mandates and red tape.

At the same time, the Netherlands can play an important role in strengthening European mineral supply security by encouraging knowledge exchange and industrial partnerships, clarifying financial instruments and investing in knowledge development.

Download link report (PDF)

Authors: Irina Patrahau, Michel Rademaker, Lucia van Geuns and Jeff Amrish Ritoe.

This HCSS report was commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conclusions and recommendations presented in this study are the result of independent research. Responsibility for the content rests with the authors and the authors alone.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail

Experts

Irina Patrahau
Michel Rademaker
Lucia van Geuns
Jeff Amrish Ritoe

Related News

Related Content

Defence and Energy Conference | Irina Patrahau: the geopolitics of critical raw materials
New report: Strategic raw materials for defence
Irina Patrahau: “EU Green Deal Industrial Plan is a step in the right direction”

Office Address

  • The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies
  • Lange Voorhout 1
  • 2514 EA The Hague
  • The Netherlands

Contact Us

  • Telephone: +31(70) 318 48 40
  • E-mail: info@hcss.nl
  • IBAN NL10INGB0666328730
  • BIC INGBNL2A
  • VAT NL.8101.32.436.B01
  • Contact

Legal & Privacy

  • Disclaimer & Privacy
  • Algemene Voorwaarden (NL) 
  • Terms & Conditions (ENG) 
  • Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure
  • Ethical Standards
  • Manual for Responsible Use of AI

Follow us

© The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies
    Link to: Telegraaf | Denktank HCSS: “Snelle energietransitie is wenselijk, maar zou niet enige strategie moeten zijn” Link to: Telegraaf | Denktank HCSS: “Snelle energietransitie is wenselijk, maar zou niet enige strategie moeten zijn” Telegraaf | Denktank HCSS: “Snelle energietransitie is wenselijk, maar... Link to: Preparing for COP28: Water-Energy-Food Security Serious Game  Link to: Preparing for COP28: Water-Energy-Food Security Serious Game  Preparing for COP28: Water-Energy-Food Security Serious Game 
    Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top

    GDPR Consent

    Your privacy is important to us. Here you can set which consent you are allowing us with regards to the collection of general information, the placing of cookies of the collection of personal information. You can click 'Forget my settings' at the bottom of this form to revoke all given consents.

    Privacy policy | Close
    Settings

    GDPR Consent Settings

    Your privacy is important to us. Here you can set which consent you are allowing us with regards to the collection of general information, the placing of cookies of the collection of personal information. You can click 'Forget my settings' at the bottom of this form to revoke all given consents.

    Website statistics collect anonymized information about how the site is used. This information is used to optimize the website and to ensure an optimal user experience.

    View details

    Functional cookies are used to ensure the website works properly and are neccessary to make the site function. These cookies do not collect any personal data.  

    View details
    Forget my settings Deleted!