Joint statement of the Department for Business and Trade of the UK and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany: co-operation on critical raw materials
Published 27 April 2026
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We recognise the strategic importance of secure, sustainable and diverse access to critical minerals and critical raw materials (CRMs) for the advancement of clean and sustainable energy technologies, digital transformation, and economic resilience in both our countries and the wider European continent. The UK and Germany have committed to deepening collaboration on this important issue, as set out in the UK-Germany Treaty on Friendship and Bilateral Co-operation (“Kensington Treaty”).
We will strive to make our economies more resilient to supply chain disruptions, to help protect our businesses, workers, and consumers and to ensure the conditions exist that will support mutual economic growth, trade and investment activities.
We are delighted by the establishment of the UK-Germany Critical Minerals Policy Exchange. The momentum created by the first meeting of this new platform will allow for increased collaboration across the entirety of the critical raw materials landscape, particularly in relation to:
- the exchange of information and best practices related to market developments
- regulatory frameworks and investment approaches in the raw materials sector
- encouragement of commercial partnerships and research collaborations between British and German companies, financial institutions and research organisations
We will also explore ways in which we can pool our demand for critical minerals and how we can work with third parties to build out more integrated critical minerals supply chains. The Policy Exchange will meet annually at working level.
As a practical demonstration of our commitment to diversify our supply chains, support resilient, sustainable and responsible raw material value chains and to enhance interlinkages and business collaborations, we are delighted to note HyProMag’s expansion of their rare earth magnet recycling facilities to Germany and Altilium’s joint venture with LevertonHELM, which is progressing to its next phase in the development of a sustainable supply chain of lithium between the UK and Europe. These both mark major steps in the de-risking of our mutual supply chains along with supporting the resilience of key industries such as automotive, as we make the transition to electric vehicles.
For the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and President of the Board of Trade: Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle
For the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany: Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche