Concerns about the supply of raw materials in Germany are increasing dramatically. The renewed lockdowns in China are making technology metals and rare earths scarcer.
Frankfurt, 11 May 2022 - TRADIUM GmbH, one of Germany's leading suppliers of raw materials and metals, guarantees the supply of high-quality raw materials to industry despite unstable global supply chains. In 2022, coronavirus will continue to cause stress for supply chains and the supply of ores and minerals to many companies. In China, for example, renewed lockdowns are paralysing important production sites and transshipment points for mineral resources, jeopardising supplies. Companies that depend on just-in-time deliveries of rare earths and technology metals are therefore facing major uncertainties. TRADIUM can supply a wide range of technology metals and rare earths to ensure that production flows do not come to a standstill. See also the Press release from TRADIUM dated 23 March 2022. The critical raw materials are also available at short notice in the qualities and quantities required by the industry.
Concerns about the supply of raw materials in Germany are increasing dramatically. The renewed lockdowns in China are making technology metals and rare earths scarcer.
Lack of supplies from China
China is one of the most important rare earth mining countries and also plays a leading role in the processing of mineral resources. The country covers over 90 per cent of global demand. China's zero Covid policy is currently threatening to slow down the mining and transport of raw materials. The rigorous lockdowns are affecting the city of Baotou, which is considered China's rare earth centre. One of the largest producers, the China Northern Rare Earth Group, has its headquarters in Baotou and mines rare earths in this region. Ports such as those in Shanghai and Qinhuangdao, which play an important role in the supply chain of trade goods and raw materials to Europe, have also been shut down. The export of critical raw materials could therefore come to a standstill. The latest data from China's General Administration of Customs already shows a decline in exports of rare earths. In April 2022, around 4,400 tonnes less were exported than in March 2022, which corresponds to a drop of 8.6 per cent.
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 impending shortages. The company has a geographically broadly diversified network of raw material producers that has grown over more than two decades. This enables the company to prevent dependencies and react flexibly to bottlenecks or shortages. TRADIUM also holds large quantities of selected raw materials in its own high-security warehouse in Frankfurt, which is centralised for the whole of Europe.
The following raw materials, among others, are in stock:
Technology metals such as gallium, germanium, hafnium, indium, rhenium
Precious metals such as gold, iridium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, silver
Rare earths such as dysprosium, neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, yttrium
The ISO-certified company offers detailed product specifications for each raw material and its processing products, so that supply and demand can be quickly matched. Delivery can be made promptly within a few days.
