Germany is heavily dependent on rare earths from China

Germany is heavily dependent on imports of rare earth metals, especially from China: German companies source around two thirds of their rare earth metals from China. Rare earth metals include 17 elements, including cerium, dysprosium, lanthanum, neodymium and yttrium. They are necessary for the manufacture of many high-tech products, including semiconductors, rechargeable batteries and strong permanent magnets, which are used in electric motors and wind turbines, among other things.

Other countries in the European Union (EU) also import these raw materials from there. However, the proportion is higher in Germany, according to the Federal Statistical Office. 65.5 percent of imported rare earth metals, a total of 3,400 tons, came from China. The figure for the EU as a whole was 46.3 percent. However, the percentage share in Germany has decreased: according to the Federal Statistical Office, Germany still imported 69.1% from China in 2023.

The second most important import country was Austria: 1,200 tons came from there, which corresponds to a share of 23.2%. Estonia came in third place with 300 tons and a share of 5.6%. However, both countries do not produce the raw materials, but merely process them further and then export them. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the original origin cannot be traced.

Germany imported fewer rare earth metals in 2024

Overall, Germany imported fewer rare earth metals last year, namely 5200 tons worth 64.7 million euros. In 2023, the figure was 5900 tons worth 66 million euros. The peak of the past ten years was in 2018 with 9700 tons.

Because rare earth metals are important, the EU classifies them as strategic raw materials. By 2030, EU countries will only be allowed to import a maximum of 65% of such a raw material from a single country. The restriction applies to each rare earth metal individually. The quantities of cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium and samarium currently processed in the EU come almost entirely from China.

Can plants extract rare earth metals?

Contrary to their name, rare earth metals are not rare at all: One kilogram of any given soil contains about 200 milligrams of rare earths. The problem is the even distribution, which makes mining difficult. This is why phytomining is being considered as an alternative mining method, in which raw materials can be extracted from the ground using plants.

China is currently the largest producer of rare earth metals. The Chinese government is using this as leverage in the trade conflict. At the beginning of the month, it issued an export ban.

Europe is therefore trying to distance itself from China. A large deposit was discovered in Sweden in 2023. However, it will be several years before it can be exploited. Rare earth metals are also found in Greenland – one reason why US President Donald Trump wants to incorporate the island into the USA.

(wpl)