We are in the age of Anthropocene, and human activities must be re-balanced to avoid irreversible and disastrous impacts. Our natural resources must be preserved and be used efficiently according to our needs without compromising the needs of the future generation.
The long-term strength and sustainability of the global economy depend on a healthy environment.
Efficiency in metals must be understood in terms of their life cycle and their role in energy efficiency. Energy efficiency can also result from the use of special materials for metals alloys which reduce the amount of iron content or other large CO2 emitters.
Critical metals are essential to achieve decarbonisation goals.
Critical metals are these elements of economic importance for key industrial sectors, having a high supply risk (dependence, concentration) and suffering from a lack of substitute materials. Among these, we can mention lithium, cobalt, nickel, gallium, indium, carbon (graphite), vanadium, titanium, light and heavy rare earth elements, niobium, molybdenum, magnesium, tungsten, manganese, zirconium, antimony, rhenium, scandium, bauxite, PGM, barite.
There are increasing concerns about the future availability of mined and non-renewable minerals and materials for our society.
Transparency for all stakeholders
Consumers are also aware and informed of the growing role of metals in their daily lives. The popularisation of the theme of rare or critical metals is growing, leading to the need to inform consumers and find sustainable solutions. No product will be sold in the future without a label mentioning its impacts. Short circuits, reuse, recycling, and substitutions generate as many solutions as investment opportunities.
ESG commitment found in sustainable solutions and transparency
The ESG approach to the value chain is essential. The modern world will not deviate from the technological needs useful for the energy transition, electric mobility, or the development of efficient and energy-saving materials.
The transparency of supply chains and the validation or permanent control of sources and processing circuits will be developed on a larger scale and will affect the entire mining sector (mineral resource efficiency, upstream supply chain).
Materials science has evolved, and multidisciplinary research now makes it possible to reduce the levels of critical metals useful to overcome any shortage of these components. On the other hand, metals’ life cycle and retention rate at national scales today appear increasingly important (and strategic) to consider effective and economical recycling
(close loop, circular supply chain business opportunities).
eMetals®, therefore, focuses on companies that fall within this responsibility scheme to develop projects whose contribution remains adapted to technological evolution and the life cycle prospects of metals while complying with reducing their impacts according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).