The Hague-based Invest International, an impact investor, announced plans to establish a public-private investment fund to reduce Dutch and European dependence on critical raw materials.
The announcement was made by Lara Muller, Director of New Business at Invest International, during the Mineral Exploration and Mining Convention (PDAC Convention) in Toronto.
Reinette Klever, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aid, also participated in the event.
The fund is expected to collaborate with financial institutions such as banks, pension funds, and EU-based partners to ensure a robust investment strategy.
Focus on independence
The initiative supports broader European goals for independence, especially in important areas like energy, digital technology, aerospace, and security.
Countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Estonia, Sweden, and Finland have already started similar programs.
Lara Muller says, “We cannot do this alone and will have to work together with friendly and like-minded countries. With this fund, we want to help secure access to critical raw materials for our industry, help cover vulnerabilities and risks in international supply chains, and ultimately contribute to the competitiveness of the Netherlands in the world.”
Key technologies in the Netherlands depend on critical raw materials.
For instance, the energy transition requires lithium-ion batteries made from lithium, cobalt, and nickel; wind turbines use permanent magnets containing copper and neodymium; and green hydrogen production relies on aluminum, graphite, and manganese.
Muller adds, “The Netherlands plays a pivotal role in the European raw materials supply chain, thanks to its advanced logistics infrastructure and the strategic access provided by the Port of Rotterdam. The port serves as a crucial hub for raw material imports and distribution across Europe. However, the Netherlands currently relies heavily on imported semi-finished products from China, with only a handful of companies directly sourcing raw materials. Reducing dependence on China is a key objective for both the Netherlands and the EU.”
The EU currently maintains partnerships with 14 countries for critical raw materials.
The Netherlands’ selection criteria for collaboration include the presence of essential raw materials, the interests of Dutch industry and research institutions, and alignment with EU partnerships and policies.
The country is deepening ties with key partners such as Australia, Canada, and Chile while also fostering cooperation with Vietnam and South Africa.
“The solution lies in increasing access to existing raw material chains while also improving efficiency. Our fund aims to utilise Dutch technology to optimise resource use, expand recycling efforts, and explore viable alternatives,” concludes Muller.
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