energy
Raw material study: cobalt reserves for electric cars are only sufficient for eleven years
Manganese nodules lie in a bowl in the raw materials laboratory of the deep-sea research vessel “Sonne”. In addition to manganese, the valuable ore from the deep sea also contains cobalt, copper and rare earths. Photo: picture alliance / dpa
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Raw materials such as cobalt, lithium and graphite are essential in the manufacture of batteries for electric cars. But their occurrence could end sooner than expected.
According to a study by the Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft (IW), the security of supply for industry with more than 20 important raw materials is very critical. The supply of the raw materials cobalt, lithium and graphite, which are important for e-car batteries, is highly risky, said IW Consult managing director Karl Lichtblau on Wednesday in Munich.
Platinum, iridium and nickel could become a bottleneck for hydrogen production – and “the energy transition will not succeed without hydrogen,” warned Lichtblau.
Cobalt shortage as a “warning signal”
1,300 gigawatt hours of battery capacity would be required for 36 million new e-cars in 2030. But the known cobalt reserves were only sufficient for 11 years with the foreseeable demand today. That is no reason to panic, “but a warning signal that we have to do something at all levels,” said Lichtblau. Cobalt-free batteries are being worked on, “you shouldn’t underestimate technical progress. But you have to stay on the ball.”
The Association of Bavarian Economy (vbw), which commissioned the study, called for raw material partnerships with other countries to be promoted in terms of foreign policy and development aid. Because the industrial policy of individual states or unstable political conditions “contribute to an uncertain raw material supply for our economy”, said vbw managing director Bertram Brossardt. Many metals or minerals are found in only a few countries outside of Europe. China and other emerging countries need a lot of raw materials for their growth; Demand and competition would increase.
Raw material shortages and price increases
In order to reduce dependency, the economy has to recycle more raw materials. The economy expects a “sustainable strategy for a circular economy” from the federal government, said Brossardt. Resource efficiency and substitution would have to be promoted through research.
Even the current raw material shortages and price increases caused production to stall: “Demand cannot be met, although the order books are full,” said Brossardt. The reliable and affordable purchase of raw materials must urgently be on the agenda in foreign policy and in companies.