Big imports
BDI: There is a risk of billions in losses due to dependence on raw materials
Lithium is an important raw material for e-mobility. But a large part of it comes from China – which worries German industry. Dependence is also high on other raw materials.
The Federation of German Industries (BDI) sees Germany’s dependence on raw materials from abroad as never before – and warns of billions in losses. For example, if Chinese lithium exports are stopped, the German economy could face a loss of up to 115 billion euros in value creation – 15 percent of industrial value creation.
This was the result of a study by the BDI and the management consultancy Roland Berger, which the association presented at a congress in Berlin. The automotive industry, which requires lithium for electric cars, for example, is particularly affected. “Politicians must do everything they can to prevent such a worst-case scenario,” said BDI President Siegfried Russwurm.
Dependence on a variety of raw materials
Germany imports half of its lithium products from China – compared to 18 percent in 2014. The People’s Republic dominates battery production for electric vehicles. “Germany and Europe are in danger of losing global competition for strategically important raw materials,” warned Russwurm.
According to the study, Germany is not only heavily dependent on foreign countries for lithium. Accordingly, the dependency in 2023 was high to very high for 23 critical raw materials and has increased for ten of these raw materials. This includes, for example, rare earths, most of which are also imported from China.
In the study, the authors call for reducing dependencies by sourcing raw materials from more supplier countries. In addition, domestic raw material extraction and processing must be strengthened. Recycling technologies could also be developed for some raw materials in order to establish a circular economy.
dpa
Source: Stern
