{"id":10294,"date":"2019-03-19T12:00:56","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T12:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/?p=10294"},"modified":"2026-08-12T20:29:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T20:29:47","slug":"netherlands-case-study-demonstrates-the-need-for-a-secure-supply-of-rare-earth-metals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/netherlands-case-study-demonstrates-the-need-for-a-secure-supply-of-rare-earth-metals\/","title":{"rendered":"Netherlands Case Study Demonstrates the Need for a Secure Supply of Rare Earth Metals"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NetherlandsThe COP24 summit that took place in Katowice, Poland featured a discussion of the role of mining rare earth metals<\/a> in the circular economy. The discussion is based on a case study<\/a> on the availability of rare earth and other metals needed to sustain renewable energy initiatives in the Netherlands. The research is limited to solar and wind technologies, since these are expected to provide the bulk of electricity in the future. Excerpts from the report:<\/p>\n

The Netherlands has a goal to become almost climate neutral\u00a0 in\u00a0 2050;\u00a0 the\u00a0 aim\u00a0 is\u00a0 to\u00a0 emit\u00a0 95%\u00a0 less\u00a0 CO2 compared to 1990. In 2030 the country aims to lower CO2 emissions by at least 49%, and possibly as high as 55% \u2013 depending on the ambition of the rest of the EU.<\/p>\n

In addition to becoming climate neutral, the Netherlands aims to become circular. Goals have been set for this ambition as well: the country wants to be 100% circular in 2050. Although it is difficult to find a clear measure \u00a0for\u00a0 \u2018circularity\u2019,\u00a0 the\u00a0 goal\u00a0 is\u00a0 to\u00a0 reduce\u00a0 primary\u00a0 raw \u00a0material use by 50% in 2030.<\/p>\n

To realize the electricity production targets set for 2030, the Netherlands would require some 2.4 to 3.2 million tonnes of metal.\u00a0 For the final scenario in 2050, that demand quadruples to 8.6\u201311.7 million tonnes. The vast majority of this demand \u2013about 87% \u2013 consists of iron and steel for the foundation and shaft of wind turbines. \u00a0Elements such as silicon, copper, lead, and zinc will also see a significant increase in demand in absolute terms. \u00a0However\u00a0 this\u00a0 increase\u00a0 is,\u00a0 in\u00a0 relative\u00a0 terms,\u00a0 limited\u00a0 as \u00a0these elements have been used in large quantities for \u00a0decades,\u00a0 and\u00a0 therefore\u00a0 have\u00a0 sufficient\u00a0 reserve\u00a0 and \u00a0supply.<\/p>\n

To avoid future scarcity, three solution pathways are identified:<\/p>\n