Mapping critical raw materials
Critical and strategic raw materials are essential to the European economy. Many companies depend directly on these materials for their production processes or service delivery. For example, lithium for batteries or bauxite for aluminium. However, the availability of these materials is increasingly under pressure worldwide. Geopolitical tensions, regional instability and climate‑related disruptions are making international supply chains more fragile than ever.
This creates significant risks for businesses. Supply chain interruptions can lead to production downtime, higher operational costs or even the loss of customers. That is why it is crucial to understand which critical raw materials your organisation uses and where they originate. This is not only a legal requirement but also a strategic step towards becoming a future‑proof organisation.
The less dependent you are on scarce or vulnerable supply chains, the more robust and resilient your business becomes. Reducing dependency lowers risk, strengthens security of supply and improves operational continuity. In addition, many critical raw materials are finite. Paying close attention to their use therefore contributes not only to effective risk management but also to more sustainable and responsible business practices.
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This is how we do it – your own action plan in four steps
1. Procurement mapping
Together with the procurement department, we create a clear overview of the raw materials you purchase and their origins. We then prioritise these materials based on their relevance to your organisation. We look beyond only officially designated critical raw materials, but also those that are strategically indispensable for your operations. This results in a focused list of materials that truly warrant attention.
2. Risk analysis
For each selected raw material, we conduct a thorough risk and opportunity assessment. We analyse supply chain vulnerabilities, geopolitical dependencies, the availability of alternatives and potential impacts on your operations. This reveals which supply chains carry the highest risks and where opportunities for improvement, diversification or substitution exist.
3. Mitigation plan
Based on the risk analysis, we identify which measures can reduce risks effectively. These may involve sourcing from alternative suppliers, using material substitutes, making process adjustments or implementing stock strategies. For each raw material supply chain, we define concrete actions tailored to the material’s origin, application and strategic value.
4. Implementation
Finally, we help embed these measures within your organisation. This includes procurement training, policy development and establishing processes that support long-term risk management. The result: managing raw material risks becomes a robust and integrated part of your business practice.
Critical raw materials are materials that the EU considers economically important and at risk in terms of supply security.
Strategic raw materials are a subset of these: they are essential for key EU priorities such as the green transition, digitalisation, defence and space applications.
In total, 34 raw materials are classified as critical, of which 17 are strategic.
Yes. A stress test can be valuable for any raw material that is important to your business. Even materials not included on the EU list may pose significant risks. For instance, due to dependence on a single supplier, major price fluctuations or limited availability of alternatives. That is why we assess not only EU‑listed critical and strategic materials, but also raw materials that are essential to your specific operations.
Commonly encountered critical raw materials include:
- Lithium and graphite in batteries
- Rare earth elements used for magnets
- Cobalt in electronics
- Bauxite/aluminium and copper, widely used across industrial applications
Many other critical materials may be present depending on the sector and type of business, so the actual list varies widely by company.
Get started with your own team
We firmly believe in teamwork. We customise our strategic long-term projects, according to the needs of your company or organisation. We form a dedicated team of three to six experts, diverse and resilient in nature. They work together to guide your organisation from the development stage to the implementation stage. This way, we safeguard quality and guarantee the continuity of your sustainability initiatives. Want to make an impact together?
A preview of our experts
Meet our expert who, together with a dedicated team of fellow experts, contributes to the long-term success of our clients.
Romeo Kaptijn
Has the ability to translate detailed insights into strategic actions.
Link to Romeo
