Exporting our scrap, importing our risk: the critical materials paradox

Critical raw materials support electrification and digital infrastructure, yet valuable scrap can leave the region that needs the recovered supply. Keeping it closer requires more than an export restriction. Why does battery waste, aluminium scrap and e-waste leave the region? What would make processing closer to home viable, and how do export restrictions help or backfire? • Why do battery black mass, aluminium scrap and e-waste go overseas, and what would make regional processing viable? • How can design for recovery and second life, including in data centres, secure future supply? • Where do localisation and export restrictions strengthen resilience, and where do they backfire?