ID | Name | Supplementary explanation | Justification and expected effect |
CRM waste prevention | |||
A1 | Reduced use of antimony as a flame retardant | China has recently stopped exporting antimony to the West, creating a bottleneck for the production of ammunition for Ukraine. Bans or restrictions on antimony for non-essential purposes are therefore more relevant than ever. A ban on the use of antimony as a flame retardant will force the use of alternative substances for the same purpose | Reduced need for antimony |
A2 | Reduced use of helium for entertainment purposes | Helium is produced as a by-product of natural gas, and its supply is therefore expected to decline as fossil fuels are phased out globally. The gas has important industrial and technical applications, as well as being widely used for entertainment purposes. Banning or restricting its use for entertainment purposes would increase security of supply for more important uses. 20 % of todays helium use can be avoided through a ban on party balloons. Changes in MRI-practice can limit the helium use further. | Reduced need for helium |
A3 | Reduced use of aluminum for packaging purposes | Significant amounts of aluminium are used as single-use packaging where alternative materials are often available. A ban or restriction on the use of aluminium for non-essential packaging purposes would reduce the overall consumption of aluminium that ends up in waste streams with limited recycling potential. As magnesium is used as an alloying additive in many aluminium alloys for packaging purposes, the same measure would also minimise magnesium consumption for the same purpose. Substitution of aluminum packaging where acceptable material alternatives exist can reduce Nordic aluminum consumption by almost 20 000 tonn anually. | Reduced need for aluminium and magnesium |
A4 | Reduced use of aluminum as constrution material | Aluminum is used as a construction material to a significant extent in the building and infrastructure, including as facade panels. A ban or restrictions on the use of aluminum for construction purposes would increase the security of supply of aluminum to the transportation sector, where the metal's low material density is even more important. | Reduced need for aluminium |
A5 | Reduced use of boron in soaps and non-essential pharmaceutical products. | Boron is used as an ingredient in many soaps and pharmaceutical products, where after use it largely ends up in wastewater, making recycling difficult. A ban or restrictions on the use of boron in non-essential pharmaceutical products would minimize boron consumption. | Slightly minimized need for boron |
A6 | Reduced use of bismuth in non-essential pharmaceutical products. | Bismuth is used as an ingredient in many pharmaceutical products, where after use it largely ends up in wastewater, making recycling difficult. A ban or restrictions on the use of bismuth in non-essential pharmaceutical products would minimize the consumption of bismuth | Reduced need for vismut |
A7 | Eliminate the use of coke in steel production | Metallurgical coke is used as a reducing agent in the production of iron and steel. An alternative production method where hydrogen and electricity replace coke in the process is available through Direct Reduction (DRI). DRI-plants are being planned in Sweden through the Hybrit and H2Gsteel projects. | Reduced need for coke |
A8 | Adopt alternative technology for the primary production of aluminum that eliminates the need for fluorine and anode graphite | A number of alternative processes for the production of primary aluminium that could result in increased recycling or reduced need for CRMs as feedstocks are under development. Aluminium production using inert anodes would limit the need for graphite in the process, aluminium production with anorthosite would yield pure silica as a by-product, and aluminium production based on a chlorine-based salt melt would eliminate the need for fluorine for the same purpose while also enabling the extraction of trace amounts with CRMs other than aluminium. By supporting the development of these technologies, aluminium production could become far more CRM resource efficient. | Reduced need for fluor og grafitt |
A9 | Eliminate the use of fluorinated organic chemicals | Fluorinated organic compounds have countless applications, including in the form of the materials Goretex and Teflon, and as the highly environmentally harmful substance group PFAS which is in the process of being banned by the EU. A ban or restrictions on fluorinated compounds for non-essential purposes would not only limit the consumption of fluorine for purposes that make recycling difficult, but also reduce the spread of environmentally harmful substances. | Slightly minimized need for fluoride |
A10 | Reduced use of gallium for ski lubrication | Gallium-based ski lubrication has been launched as an expensive alternative to conventional ski lubrication. A ban or restrictions on gallium-based ski lubrication would limit the consumption of gallium for this purpose. | Slightly minimized need for galium |
A11 | Reduced use of copper for chemicals | Thousands of tons of secondary copper are removed from secondary in the Nordic countries to become preservatives, biocides and pigments. This tonnage cannot be recycled, although some of the copper is found in incineration ashes. There are good substitutes for many of these applications. A ban or restrictions on the use of copper-based preservatives, biocides and pigments would not only minimise the Nordic consumption of copper by as much as 16 000 tons anually, but can also contribute to an increased copper recycling rates. | Minimized need for copper and increased recycling rate |
A12 | Reduced use of neodymium for ceramic and glass production | A ban or tax on the use of neodymium in glass production could minimize the proportion of neodymium used for this purpose, and thus improve security of supply for high-tech applications. | Reduced need for neodymium |
A13 | Reduced use of dysprosium for glass production | A ban or tax on the use of dysprosium in glass production could minimize the proportion of dysprosium used for this purpose, and thus improve the security of supply for high-tech applications. | Reduced need for dysprosium |
A14 | Reduced use of ytterbium for glass production | A ban or tax on the use of ytterbium in glass production could minimize the proportion of ytterbium used for this purpose, and thus improve security of supply for high-tech applications. | Reduced need for ytterbium |
A15 | Reduced use of terbium for glass production | A ban or tax on the use of terbium in glass production could minimize the proportion of terbium used for this purpose, and thus improve security of supply for high-tech applications. | Reduced need for terbium |
A16 | Reduced use of preasodynium as a pigment and in ceramic products | A ban or tax on the use of praesodymium in glass production could minimize the proportion of praesodymium used for this purpose, and thus improve security of supply for high-tech applications. | Reduced need for praesodymium |
A17 | Reduced use of lithium for glass and ceramic products | A ban or excise tax on the use of lithium for glass and ceramic products could minimize the proportion of lithium used for this purpose, and thus improve the security of supply of batteries. | Reduced need for litium |
A18 | Reduced use of nickel-steel alloys in consumer products | Nickel is used in many steel alloys used in consumer products. Bans or excise taxes on the use of nickel-steel alloys for non-essential purposes could minimize the proportion of nickel used for these purposes. | Reduced need for nickel |
A19 | Reduced use of PGM metals in jewelry | A ban or tax on the use of PGM metals for jewelry could minimize the proportion of PGM used for this purpose, and thus improve the security of supply of PGMs for high-tech applications. | Reduced use of PGM-metals |
A20 | Reduced use of CRMs for fireworks | Restrictions on fireworks could reduce the use of barium, magnesium and strontium could reduce the loss of these CRMs used for this purpose, and thus improve the security of supply of the same raw materials for high-tech applications. | Reduced use of barium, strontium og magnesium |
A21 | Reduced use of titanium in consumer products | A ban or tax on the use of titanium for non-essential consumer products such as sporting goods and the like could minimize the proportion of titanium used for this purpose, and thus improve the security of supply of this metal for high-tech applications. | Reduced need for titanium |
A22 | Reduced use of critical raw materials in small electronics in consumer products | Significant amounts of small electronics are included in consumer products. A common feature of much of this small electronics is that it is integrated into textiles, toys, sporting goods and leisure equipment such as sneakers, which makes sorting difficult and is therefore less likely to be recycled than other EE waste. A ban on or excise duty on the use of critical raw materials for non-essential consumer products could minimise the proportion of CRM used for this purpose, and thus improve the security of CRM supply for high-tech applications. | Reduced CRM-needs |
A23 | Increase the number of CRMs and overall extraction efficiency from ore mined in the Nordic region. | Critical raw materials such as copper, cobalt and nickel are included as by-products that are not extracted from ore processed in the Nordic region. More advanced beneficiation techniques have the potential to extract more of these CRMs from beneficiation processes, thereby minimizing the waste materials that subsequently need to be landfilled. | Increased CRM production and minimization of waste materials |
A24 | Extend the life of mobile phones | The lifespan of mobile phones can potentially be extended through, among other things, new product design requirements, longer warranty periods, better disassembly options and well-established and affordable repair services, preferably with VAT exemption. Repair schemes can be considered as part of existing EPR agreements. | Reduced CRM-needs |
A25 | Extend the life of tablets, TVs, PC monitors, servers and data storage devices | The lifespan of tablets, TVs and PC monitors can potentially be extended through, among other things, new product design requirements, longer warranty periods, better disassembly options and well-established and affordable repair services, often with VAT exemption. Repair schemes can be considered as part of existing EPR agreements. | Reduced CRM-needs |
A26 | Extend the product life of batteries | The lifespan of batteries can potentially be extended through, among other things, new product design requirements, longer warranty periods, better dismantling options and well-established and affordable repair services, preferably with VAT exemption. Repair schemes can be considered as part of existing EPR agreements. | Reduced CRM-needs |
A27 | Raise knowledge and consumer awareness about opportunities for waste minimization and repair of CRM-containing products | A prerequisite for more efficient schemes for waste prevention and reuse of CRM-containing products is that the Nordic population has knowledge of available schemes for this, and is motivated to use them. A public awareness campaign around this could be instrumental in achieving this. In addition, strategies for more comprehensive education about critical raw materials and the associated waste hierarchy in primary and secondary education should be considered. | Better knowledge and motivation for using schemes that minimize CRM-containing waste. |
A28 | Distribution scheme for the supply of affordable spare parts to repairers of EEE products | Well-functioning repair schemes require the availability of spare parts that enable the replacement of defective and obsolete components. Establishing a national scheme for intermediate storage and distribution of parts that are frequently replaced during the repair of EEE products can contribute to faster and more cost-effective repair services for such CRM-containing products. | Faster and more efficient repair services for CRM-containing products. |
A29 | Arrangement that ensures that relevant spare parts are available for a reasonable period after CRM-containing products are no longer placed on the market. | When a product is discontinued, the production of associated spare parts often ceases. Arrangements should therefore be considered that ensure that manufacturers and importers are required to ensure that such spare parts continue to be available for the expected product life of existing products after production has ceased. This could, for example, be done by authorities drawing up lists of which spare parts are concerned and setting a maximum response times for delivery. | Faster and more efficient repair services for CRM-containing products. |
A30 | Establish bypass arrangements for part pairing that remove barriers for repairment. | Many EEE products are equipped with part pairings that enable associated components to recognize each other. However, such functions can create problems during repair operations where new spare parts lack part pairing recognition. Bypass arrangements that circumvent this problem may therefore be important to have in place. | Faster and more efficient repair services for CRM-containing products. |
A31 | Downloadable instructions on relevant repair techniques | Repair of CRM-containing products can be simplified and streamlined by having readily available instructions for download on how to best carry out the repair. The information should also include advice on troubleshooting and diagnostics, as well as relevant contact information. | Faster and more efficient repair services for CRM-containing products. |
A32 | Establishment of a scheme for 3D printing of spare parts for the repair of CRM-containing products | It should be considered whether a scheme for 3D printing of spare parts for CRM-containing products can simplify access to such parts for repair operations. | Faster and more efficient repair services for CRM-containing products. |
A33 | Accelerated development of redesigned products and services that minimize CRM waste. | Developing better product designs and services that enable the minimization of CRM waste will in many cases require significant R&D efforts. National programmes and support schemes for this could accelerate this development. | Accelerated development of products and services that minimize CRM waste |
A34 | More detailed mapping of products and applications where existing CRM usage can be reduced or eliminated. | Countless CRM-containing products are placed on the Nordic market each year. A more detailed national investigation of products and applications where CRM use can be minimized could potentially identify significant opportunities for minimizing CRM waste streams that have so far been overlooked. | Reduced CRM-waste |
A35 | Product design that allows the products to be opened and dismantled. | Glued and welded products often make repair difficult because the repairer cannot reach the components that need adjustment or replacement. A requirement that CRM-containing products must be able to be easily opened and disassembled, for example by using detachable screws that can be operated with conventional tools and by personnel without special product expertise, can contribute to easier and more efficient repair of CRM-containing products. | Faster and more efficient repair services for CRM-containing products. |
A36 | Standardization of component usage in CRM-containing products between brands and across product generations | Many CRM-containing products, especially EE-products, have their useful life shortened as a result of the product or components that the product contains, such as charging functions, connection ports, displays, batteries, circuit boards, being or becoming incompatible with similar products of other brands or product generations. Increased standardization of components included in CRM-containing products could minimize this problem. | Longer product life of CRM-containing products |
A37 | Available software updates that enable continued use of the product after it has been discontinued | Certain CRM-containing EE-products require ongoing software updates to continue to function. A requirement for ongoing software updates for necessary upgrades of security and functionality for up to 10 years after the EE product is no longer placed on the market could contribute to an extended lifespan for these products. | Longer product life of CRM-containing products |
A38 | Consider accelerating the phase-out of hard disk drives (HDD) with solid state drives (SSD) | Traditional hard disk drives (HDD) are being phased out and are increasingly being replaced by solid state drives (SSD) which do not normally contain magnetic metals. An accelerated phase-out of hard disk drives (HDD) with solid state drives (SSD) could eliminate the need for magnetic metals (especially neodymium) but would also increase the total number of other critical raw materials required for the manufacture of the products. SSDs are also associated with a higher carbon footprint. | Reduced need for CRM magnets, but somewhat higher consumption of other CRMs |
A39 | Extraction of scandium from waste from titanium dioxide production | It is possible to extract an additional by-product in the form of scandium from waste from Nordic titanium dioxide production, and pilot projects for this are already underway. | Increased scandium supply and weakly minimized waste streams from titanium dioxide production |
A40 | Development of better training systems and simulators for weapons use in the defense sector | Development of better virtual training systems and simulators for weapons use in the armed forces could reduce the use of CRM-containing training ammunition and equipment. | Reduced need for antimony, copper bismuth, titanium, nickel etc. |
A41 | Restrictions on the use of digital screens | In recent years, the use of electronic displays for public information services and advertising purposes has exploded, and both buildings and vehicles including buses and rail cars are typically equipped with such displays. Restrictions on the use of electronic displays for non-essential uses, or where signage or timetable information can be done without, could limit the consumption of several CRMs. | Reduced use of gallium and REE. |
CRM reuse | |||
B1 | Reuse of discarded facade panels and other aluminum materials in the construction sector | Many building elements in buildings that are demolished can potentially be reused in new constructions. Reusing aluminum building elements, such as facade panels, could reduce the need for new aluminum products for the same purpose. | Reduced need for aluminum in the construction sector |
B2 | Reuse of drilling fluid with barite | Barite is used as a weighting material in drilling fluids when drilling offshore wells in the petroleum sector. Discarded drilling fluids can potentially be reused when drilling new wells after upgrading. | Reduced need for barite for drilling fluids |
B3 | Reusing batteries | Discarded batteries with sufficiently high residual capacity can potentially be used in new products or for new purposes. | Reduced need for graphite, cobalt, lithium, manganese and nickel. |
B4 | Use of furnace gases from coke reduction processes for the production of CCU products | Furnace gas from closed furnace processes in the metal industry where coke is used as a reducing agent normally contains high levels of carbon monoxide (called synthesis gas) which can be used for the production of organic products including graphite, methane, methanol, ethanol and dimethyl ether in a CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization) process. | Climate benefits as a result of using synthesis gas to manufacture new products. |
B5 | Assess the possibility of reusing fluorine for primary aluminum production | Discarded electrolytic fluid from furnaces producing primary aluminum contains significant amounts of fluorine. It should be considered whether electrolytic fluid currently discarded as waste can be upgraded in ways that enable new uses for the same purpose to a larger degree than what is already happening. | Reduced need for fluorine |
B6 | Assess the possibility of reusing optical cables with CRM content | Reusing germanium-containing optical cables could reduce the need for germanium for this purpose. Optical cables can also contain other CRMs, such as REE. | Reduced need for germanium |
B7 | Establish a collection scheme for the reuse of helium | A national collection scheme for used helium gas will enable the gas to be used for new purposes. | Reduced need for helium |
B8 | Reusing magnets in electric motors, pumps and "dynamos" | Reusing electric motors in pumps and other electrical components, or the magnets they contain, could reduce the need for new magnetic metals of the same type. However, material fatigue will limit the reuse possibilities for certain components. Proper testing of the components is therefore important before re-use. The scheme should perhaps be limited to manufacturers only recalling their own products. | Reduced need for new CRM magnetic metals. |
B9 | Increased reuse of CRM-containing car parts | Reuse of car parts is already happening on a large scale. Further reuse of car parts containing aluminum, magnesium, copper and other CRMs could reduce the need for new metals of these types. | Reduced CRM-needs |
B10 | Consider the possibility of increased reuse of steel components with CRM alloys | Increased reuse of steel components that contain, for example, manganese, niobium, nickel and/or vanadium alloys could reduce the need for new material of the same type. | Reduced CRM-needs |
B11 | Using phosphate-containing waste as fertilizer and soil improvement | Phosphate-containing waste can potentially replace artificial fertilizers. | Reduced need for phosphate |
B12 | Reusing discarded solar panels | When demolishing buildings, solar cells on roofs or integrated into the facade can be reused if schemes are developed for this. | Reduced need for solar cell silicon |
B13 | Reuse of discarded titanium consumer products | Increased reuse of consumer products made of titanium, such as sporting goods and eyeglass frames, could reduce the need for new titanium metal for the same purpose. | Reduced need for titanium |
B14 | Reusing CRM components in discarded EE products | There is already an established market for still usable components stripped from end of life electronic products. This market can be further developed. CRM components such as magnets (REE), vibrating elements (W), capacitors (Ta) may be used in new products or as spare parts during repairs. | Reduced CRM-needs |
B15 | Increasing the number of insurance settlement cases where used products or assisted repair services are provided as compensation in stead of new products. | By providing used products or assisted repair services as compensation in insurance settlements CRMs used in the production of new products that are being replaced can be saved for other uses. Although this practice already existis in the insurance industry it is so far an exception rather than a norm, and the potential for expansion of this practrice should be considered. | Reduced CRM-needs |
B16 | Establish a recycling scheme for building materials and furniture | Many building materials and furniture contain critical raw materials. Establishing well-functioning reuse schemes for these materials and product groups can reduce the need for new CRMs | Reduced CRM-needs |
B17 | Establishment of a reuse scheme for discarded servers and data storage devices | Establishing well-functioning reuse schemes for servers and data storage devices could minimize the need for CRMs for production of new products of the same type. | Reduced CRM-needs |
B18 | Reuse of individual components in servers and other data storage devices | Establishing well-functioning reuse schemes for individual components, such as HDDs, memory cards, motherboards, CPUs, server chassis and data storage devices, could minimize the need for CRMs for the production of new components of the same type. | Reduced CRM-needs |
B19 | Secure and trustworthy data deletion schemes in connection with reuse schemes for EE products | When developing reuse schemes for EE products, it is important that these are accompanied by associated arrangements for secure and reliable deletion of historical data before the EE products change ownership. | User confidence in the reuse schemes and assurance that historical data does not end up astray |
CRM substitution | |||
C1 | Develop neodymium-free rubber production. | Neodymium is used as a catalyst for the production of rubber, and large amounts of neodymium are lost as it follows the rubber material. Development of catalysts made of alternative materials could reduce neodymium losses, including in car tires. | Reduced need for neodymium |
C2 | Substitution of copper as a biocide and pigment | Thousands of tonnes of secondary copper are extracted from the technical material cycle for copper in the Nordic countries to become biocides and pigments. This tonnage is in practice lost, although some of the copper is found in incineration ashes. For all these purposes there are available substitutes. A ban or restrictions on the use of copper-based biocides and pigments will not only minimize the consumption of copper but also contribute to an increased recycling rate. The same measure is also found under waste minimization. | Reduced need for copper |
C3 | Substitution of lithium with sodium in batteries for stationary devices | Lithium in batteries can be replaced with sodium. However, this results in lower energy density, making sodium-based batteries most suitable for stationary devices where battery weight and volume are often less important. | Reduced need for lithium |
C4 | Finding alternative replacement materials for lithium in glass production. | By finding alternative materials that can replace lithium in glass production, a larger proportion of lithium will become available for battery production. | Reduced need for lithium |
C5 | Substitution of antimony and phosphorus-based flame retardants with other materials | There are alternative flame retardants that can replace antimony and phosphorus-based flame retardants. | Reduced need for antimony, and slightly reduced need for phosphorus. |
C6 | Substitution of antimony with other catalyst materials in the production of polyethylene phthalate plastic | Antimony is used as a catalyst in the production of polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET). Calcium, tin and zinc are examples of materials that can potentially replace antimony for this purpose. | Reduced need for antimony |
C7 | Substitution of antimony with other pigments in the manufacture of glass | Tinn, krom, sink og zirkonium er eksempler på stoffer som kan erstatte antimon som pigment i glass. | Reduced need for antimony |
C8 | Substitution of boron in soaps and detergents | Boron can be replaced in some soaps and detergents with sodium or potassium salts or synthetic detergents. | Reduced need for boron |
C9 | Substitution of barite with alternative weighting agent in drilling fluid | There are alternative weighting agents that can replace barite in drilling fluids, such as ilmenite. These weighting agents often do not have the same favorable application properties however. Ilmenite is also a raw material for the production of another critical raw material (titanium metal). | Reduced need for barite |
C10 | Substitution of aluminum and magnesium with steel as a construction material in means of transportation | Aluminum and magnesium can in many cases be replaced by steel as a structural material in vehicles. However, this leads to increased weight and a correspondingly increased energy footprint. | Reduced need for aluminium og magnesium |
C11 | Increased substitution of cobalt with nickel in batteries | Substitution of cobalt with nickel in batteries is already happening. However, nickel is also a CRM. | Reduced need for cobalt |
C12 | Replacing coke with hydrogen in steel production | Metallurgical coke is used as a reducing agent in the production of iron and steel. An alternative production method where hydrogen and electricity replace coke in the process is available, and is being phased in in Sweden through the Hybrit and H2Gsteel projects, among others. The same option is also described under waste reduction. | Reduced need for coke |
C13 | Replacing copper in cables with alternative conductor materials such as aluminum and graphite | Copper can in some cases be replaced with alternative conductor materials, such as aluminum and graphite. However, as these materials have much lower electrical conductivity, this will result in higher energy losses during power transmission compared to copper. Aluminum and graphite are also CRMs. | Reduced need for copper |
C14 | Replacing copper in telecommunications with optical fibers | Copper can in some cases be replaced as a conductor material in telecommunications cables with optical fibers. However, optical fibers normally contain low concentrations of germanium which is also a CRM. | Reduced need for copper |
C15 | Replacing copper in drain pipes and heat exchangers with alternative materials | Copper in drain pipes can in many cases be replaced with copper-free material alternatives such as PEX plastic. Copper in heat exchangers can be replaced with alternative materials with slightly poorer thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or steel. | Reduced need for copper |
C16 | Develops copper-free brake pads for vehicles | Brake pads contain copper which is released into the environment during braking. Total European copper loss from brake pads is estimated at 2400 tonnes. Development of copper-free brake pads will eliminate this loss. Electric vehicles also use the engine for braking which can limit the load on the brake pads, although this is partly offset by the higher braking weight of electric vehicles. | Reduced need for copper |
C17 | Replacing feldspar with other mineral fillers in glass and ceramic materials | Feldspar can in some cases be replaced with other mineral fillers in glass and ceramic materials, such as nepheline. However, such substitution may result in less attractive material performance properties. | Reduced need for feldspat |
C18 | Replacing natural graphite with synthetic graphite | Synthetic graphite is not yet of sufficiently high quality to replace natural graphite for all purposes. Technological development will eventually provide synthetic graphite with improved performance properties that will make this possible. | Reduced need for natural graphite |
C19 | Replacing natural graphite with molybdenum oxide as a lubricant. | Natural graphite can in some cases be replaced with molybdenum oxide as a lubricant. | Reduced need for natural graphite |
C20 | Replacing rare earth elements in glass production and as pigments | Substitution of rare earth elements with alternative materials for the production of glass and ceramics could reduce the REE requirement. Neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium should be given priority for substitution in pigments. Cerium, lanthanum and yttrium are examples of rare earth elements that are produced in such large excesses that substitution is considered less important. These issues are also listed under waste prevention. | Reduced need for REE |
C21 | Replacing magnesium with alternative desulfurization materials in steel production | Magnesium is used for desulfurization of steel. Current materials that can in some cases replace magnesium are calcium oxide and calcium carbide. | Reduced need for magnesium |
C22 | Replacing nickel-steel with chromium-steel alloys | Nickel-steel alloys can in some cases be replaced with chromium steel. However, such substitution may provide less advantageous performance properties for certain purposes. | Reduced need for nickel |
C23 | Replacing Niobium steel for HSLA steel with other alloy components | Niobium steel alloys for HSLA steels can in some cases be substituted with other steel alloys. However, such substitution may result in less advantageous performance properties for certain applications. | Reduced need for niobium |
C24 | Replacing PGM materials in EE products with gold | PGM metals in EE products can in some cases be replaced with gold. | Reduced need for PGM-metals |
C25 | Substituting titanium metal with aluminum alloys in sports products | Titanium metal in consumer products such as sporting goods can in some cases be replaced with aluminum alloys or carbon fiber. However, this may result in reduced performance. | Reduced need for titanium metal |
C26 | Substitution of gallium with silicon in semiconductor materials and tungsten for lighting | In an acute shortage situation, gallium used in semiconductors could be replaced with silicon. Similarly, gallium in LEDs could be replaced with historical lighting technologies based on, for example, tungsten. However, this would result in significantly lower energy efficiency and product performance. | Reduced need for gallium |
C27 | Substitution of germanium with silicon in semiconductor materials | Germanium can be replaced to some extent with silicon as a semiconductor material in EE products. However, this will result in significantly lower product performance and size in portable devices. | Reduced need for germanium |
C28 | Substitution of vanadium with alternative catalyst material in various chemical processes | Vanadium catalysts can be replaced by nickel or PGM metals in some industrial processes. However, both nickel and PGM are also CRMs | Reduced need for vanadium |
C29 | Consider the possibility of a full transition to digital means of payment | Full transition to digital means of payment will eliminate the need for physical currency in the form of coins that typically contain copper and nickel, as well as banknotes that may also contain CRMs, such as europium. | Reduced CRM-need |
C30 | Consider the possibility of replacing copper and nickel coatings on ammunition with alternative materials | The copper and nickel coating on ammunition can in some cases be replaced with alternative materials such as wax, plastic or steel. | Reduced needs for copper and nickel |