Germany - A source of raw materials

Due to the impending need for raw materials coinciding with supply restraints, new opportunities have to be found and existing structures further developed to secure access to certain raw materials in the European Union (EU). Especially in the context of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), access to raw materials is of major importance as various strategic raw materials, as defined by the EU, are used for the manufacture of EEE. Scarcity is expected to be the main driver for raw material sourcing policies in the future. The importance of improved collection and recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to gain access to secondary raw material sources therefore is crucial.