Raw Materials Scarcity: TRADIUM Offers Security of Supply for Industry

Concerns related to raw material supply are increasing dramatically. Renewed lockdowns in China affect minerals exports, making technolody metals and rare earths scarcer. One of the leading suppliers for industrial customers in Europe, TRADIUM GmbH, guarantees prompt supply.

Frankfurt, May 11, 2022 –One of Europe’s leading suppliers of raw materials and metals, TRADIUM GmbH, guarantees the supply of high-quality raw materials to industry despite unstable supply chains worldwide. Also, in 2022, Corona led to stress for the supply chains and the supply of many companies with ores and minerals. In China, for example, renewed lockdowns are paralyzing important production sites and transshipment points for mineral resources, jeopardizing supplies. Companies that depend on just-in-time deliveries of rare earths and strategic metals are thus facing significant uncertainties. To ensure that production flows do not halt, TRADIUM can supply a wide range of technology metals and rare earths. See TRADIUM’s press release dated March 23, 2022, for more information. The critical raw materials are also available at short notice in the industry’s required qualities and quantities.

Matthias Rüth, Managing Director of TRADIUM: “The manufacturing industry is facing ever new difficulties in the procurement of materials and raw materials. As a result of the many Corona waves and the Ukraine war, there is no calm in the commodity markets. In addition to very volatile prices, logistics are also causing turbulence. Means of transport are in short supply, and freight rates have risen worldwide. Without adequate physical stockpiling of necessary materials, many companies’ production flows are in danger of stalling.

Lack of supply from China

China is one of the most important producers of rare earths and plays a leading role in processing mineral resources. The country covers over 90 percent of global demand. Currently, China’s zero-covid policy threatens to slow down the mining and transport of raw materials. For example, the rigorous lockdowns are affecting the city of Baotou, which is considered the rare earth center of China. One of the largest producers, China Northern Rare Earth Group, is headquartered in Baotou and mines rare earths in the region. Ports such as those in Shanghai and Qinhuangdao, which play an essential role in the supply chain of commercial goods and raw materials to Europe, are also shut down. Exports of critical raw materials could grind to a halt. Recent data from China’s General Administration of Customs already show a decline in rare earth export. For example, about 4,400 fewer tons were exported in April 2022 than in March 2022, a drop of 8.6 percent.

Security of supply thanks to diversified supply chains and well-stocked warehouses

TRADIUM, which supplies rare earths and technology metals to numerous international industrial customers, offers security of supply despite the threat of shortages. The company has a geographically broadly diversified network of raw material producers that has grown over two decades. In this way, the company prevents dependencies and can react flexibly to shortages or failures. In addition, TRADIUM holds large quantities of selected raw materials in its high-security warehouse in Frankfurt – thus, centrally for the whole of Europe.

These raw materials are in stock, among others:
Technology metals: gallium, germanium, hafnium, indium, rhenium
Precious metals: gold, iridium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, silver
Rare earths: dysprosium, neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, yttrium

For each raw material and its processing products, the ISO-certified company offers detailed product specifications so that supply and demand can be quickly compared. Delivery can be made promptly within a few days.