Germany and Canada strengthen raw materials partnership

26.08.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Germany and Canada have agreed to expand their cooperation on critical raw materials. The aim is to secure supply chains and network companies more closely.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) has intensified its cooperation with Canada in the field of critical raw materials. Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) and Canadian Energy Minister Jonathan Hodgson signed a joint declaration in Berlin on August 26. According to the BMWE, the agreement is intended to strengthen the security of supply for German companies and open up new prospects for joint projects.

Canada is one of the world's leading mining countries. The country produces numerous critical raw materials, including cobalt, graphite, lithium, nickel and copper. Canada also wants to expand its activities in the extraction of rare earths. These raw materials are key components for batteries, electric motors, wind turbines and medical devices.

Reiche emphasized that Germany and Canada were sending a clear signal for stable supply chains with the agreement. Access to critical raw materials is crucial for the competitiveness of German companies. She pointed out that German companies are already working together with Canadian partners in the extraction of raw materials and that this cooperation should be expanded in a targeted manner.

Joint company projects

The German government referred to existing measures such as the raw materials fund, untied financial loan guarantees for raw materials projects and the promotion of the circular economy. These instruments are now to be supplemented by bilateral cooperation with Canada. One focus is on supporting joint projects between companies in both countries, cooperation on processing technologies and closer networking.

In addition, political dialog on the framework conditions for raw materials production is to be intensified. According to the BMWE, this can help to establish competitive value chains outside of China.
As part of the agreement, three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed between companies. They relate to the cooperation between Vacuumschmelze and Torngat Metals, between Enertrag and Rock Tech Lithium and between Aurubis and Troilus Gold. These MoUs are intended to intensify exchanges in the field of raw materials extraction and processing.

According to the BMWE, German companies are already increasingly looking for partners in Canada, both in the extraction of raw materials and in processing and recycling. With the new agreements, the German government wants to support this development and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries in the long term.

The German-Canadian declaration of intent is available on the Internet.

Author: Susanne Harmsen