Reducing metal consumption: practical suggestions for the raw materials transition
In 2022, Germany imported almost 80 million tonnes of metals - around 90 per cent of which were primary raw materials. One problem with this is that Germany's consumption of raw materials is significantly higher than a globally equitable level. In addition, Germany is heavily reliant on imports. These dependencies have repeatedly become visible and tangible in the course of the crises of recent years: Wars, pandemics or floods have disrupted supply chains and brought production lines to a standstill.
Reducing the demand for primary raw materials can counteract these supply bottlenecks. However, the climate crisis and numerous ecological and social issues along metal supply chains also show that urgent action is required and that the consumption of metallic raw materials must decrease.
In our brochure "Reducing metal consumption: practical suggestions for the raw materials transition", we examined the reduction potential for copper, aluminium, iron and nickel in Germany. Together, these four base metals account for 94 per cent of Germany's consumption of metallic raw materials. Measures that reduce the demand for these metals can therefore also be particularly effective in curbing the negative environmental impacts and social consequences in metal supply chains.
The brochure is based on the study "Nutzung und Reduktionspotentiale von Basismetallen in Deutschland und der EU“ ("Utilisation and reduction potentials of metals in Germany and the EU"), which was carried out by the ifeu Institute on behalf of PowerShift. The study calculated enormous savings potential, particularly in the transport sector, the construction industry and in the recycling of metals. For example, reducing the size, weight and number of newly registered cars is an important lever that could save almost 37 million tonnes of the four metals examined by 2050.
Although the German government has committed to reducing primary raw material consumption, it has not yet taken the necessary steps. This brochure addresses this issue and calls on the various federal ministries to take concrete measures.
Here you can find further publications that have been translated into English. For more information on our work on the raw materials transition and raw materials policy (in German), click here.
We would like to thank the authors Monika Dittrich, Sonja Limberger, Birte Ewers, Florian Petri and Anja Doppelmayr of the study „Nutzung und Reduktionspotentiale von Basismetallen in Deutschland und der EU“ ("Utilisation and reduction potentials of metals in Germany and the EU").
