Green Industrial Policy in the Age of Rare Metals (GRIP-ARM)
A trans-regional comparison of growth strategies in rare earth mining
GRIP-ARM examines the globalised supply and demand of critical raw materials, including rare earth elements (REEs) – from mining, processing, manufacturing, use and recycling – to scrutinize mining both as a strategy for industrialization as well as an integral part of the emerging strategic competition and global clean energy transition.
Through the research programme, GRIP-ARM will shed light on the divergent strategies toward achieving secured access to Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) and the rise of industrial policy among mineral producers and consumers in the context of rapidly changing global political economy.
In capturing the global map of institutional and policy changes related to contemporary challenges, GRIP-ARM examines new industrial strategies connected with critical minerals development in China, Brazil and Kazakhstan (producing countries), and the responses of major governments and companies in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and clean energy technologies in the European Union, Japan and Korea (resource consuming countries) through 5 Work Packages (WPs).
World map with focus countries/regions highlighted. The following information shows up when hovering over each country/region
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FAQs
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What are rare earth elements?
Rare earths are 17 chemically similar metals, with special properties of ferromagnetism, superconductivity, and luminescence.
These metals are vital for production of advanced manufacturing and low-carbon technology.
What kind of goods require rare earths?
Most energy efficient and high-tech goods need rare metals to function. These include electric and hybrid cars, solar panels, windmills, and everyday electronics such as phones, laptops, and flatscreen TVs.
Why is this study important?
Industrial catch up in middle and low-income countries generates pressures for increased production of high-tech manufacturing and electronic goods such as computers, flatscreen TVs, hybrid cars, and other products that utilise rare metals. However, since 2010, China’s export restrictions policy has created a major supply constraint on rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical raw materials (CRMs).
Additionally, Europe, North America and East Asia’s efforts to solve the climate emergency through the accelerated production of clean technologies has presented an opportunity for resource producers to develop their manufacturing capacity to take advantage of supply crunch on CRMs.
What does GRIP-ARM want to achieve?
GRIP-ARM examines the globalized supply and demand for rare earths – from mining, processing, manufacturing, use, and recycling – to have a closer scrutiny of mining both as a strategy for industrialization and as an integral part of contemporary efforts towards a sustainable supply of raw materials.
