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Electronics Industry Competes for Raw Materials; Will the Scarcity of Natural Resources Become a Showstopper for the Information & Communications Industry? . Ifixit.org, 2014. Availability of Resources and Supply/Demand. High tech metals & rare earth elements Resources/Reserves
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Electronics Industry Competes for Raw Materials; Will the Scarcity of Natural Resources Become a Showstopper for the Information & Communications Industry? Ifixit.org, 2014
Availability of Resources and Supply/Demand • High tech metals & rare earth elements • Resources/Reserves • Competitive marketplace • 97% of rare earth metals in China
How does the price of a material affect how mining companies operate? • Production costs • Increase in population • High price for raw materials • more investment in mining technologies • Resources & reserves
What strategies can be employed to make a company more resilient to fluctuations in raw materials markets? • A more secure supply chain • Innovation • Substitution of materials • ‘closed loop’ operation Greenpost.com, 2014
Can recycling play a role in availability of materials? • Urban and landfill mining • The WEEE directive • Private companies • Regulation Estrallamountain.edu, 2014
What Does the Industry Need to Do? • Develop a wider supply base • Secure agreements on specific supply chains • Take an active role in material production • Evaluate product design and substitution • Establish a ‘closed loop’ recycling process
E-Waste Management: From Waste to Resource • Hieronymi, K. (2012) Electronics Industry Competes for Raw Materials; Will the Scarcity of Natural Resources Become a Showstopper for the Information & Communications Industry? In E-waste management: from waste to resource, Kahhat, R., Hieronymi, K. & Williams, E., eds., Earthscan, London, 237-250 Hehir, 2014