From October 8th to October 16th, 2023, team of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (hereinafter referred to as the "CNIA") Minor Metals Branch led by Mr. Peng Tao, the director of the CNIA Rare Earth and Rare Metals Consultation and Coordination Department, including Mr. Liu Mai, the secretary of CNIA Minor Metals branch (hereinafter referred to as the "CNIAMMB"), and Mr. Li Chengchen, a secretary of CNIAMMB, traveled to the UK, Belgium, and Germany to conduct a nine-day market research mission on minor metals.
The first stop of the team was the Minor Metals Trade Association (MMTA) in the UK. The MMTA is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to promoting global trade in minor metals. Next, the team visited Wogen Resources Ltd., a leading supplier of minor metals and materials in the UK, primarily serving the aviation, electronics, and environmental industries to provide minor metal raw materials.
In Belgium and Germany, the team first visited Umicore Electro-Optic Material, a global leader in advanced materials with a focus on high-performance materials and recycling. The team also visited Vital Material Belgium SA and Vital Pure Metal Solutions, both of which specialize in the research and production of high-purity rare metal materials, such as bismuth and etc.
The main purpose of this research mission was to gain a better understanding of overseas market conditions for minor metal-related companies and examine the implementation of export control policies regarding gallium and germanium in particular. The team conducted in-depth research on various dimensions including cutting-edge product development, business operations and innovation strategies related to gallium, germanium, bismuth, tellurium and other major minor metal varieties.
Throughout their meetings with local counterparts, the team collected valuable market intelligence that will assist the Chinese government in formulating relevant policies to better serve the domestic rare metals industry and enterprises. This research mission not only enhanced the connection between the Chinese rare metals industry and international markets but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.
In general, this European trip was a highly productive research mission that not only improved the team's understanding of the global rare metal market but also paved the way for future international cooperation. It is anticipated that more such international exchange activities will follow in the future, injecting new vitality into the development of China's nonferrous metals industry.
