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Is #America’s Defense Industrial Base Ready for War? The Critical Role of #RareEarthElements and #Innovation

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Lessons from the 2026 CSIS Progress Report

A graphic image featuring an F-35 fighter jet flying over an industrial scene with military equipment, depicting a report on America's defense industrial base readiness for war, highlighting progress and challenges in military production.

The phrase “wartime footing” has become increasingly common in U.S. national security discussions. But what does it actually mean? More importantly, is the United States making meaningful progress toward building an industrial base capable of supporting prolonged, high-intensity conflict?

A recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Is the Industrial Base on a Wartime Footing? A Progress Report, offers a detailed assessment of how the U.S. defense industrial base has evolved since the Department of Defense announced this objective in late 2025.

What Does “Wartime Footing” Mean?

A wartime industrial base is one that can rapidly produce, replenish, and sustain military capabilities during extended conflict. This requires more than simply increasing defense spending—it demands resilient supply chains, modern manufacturing, strong public-private partnerships, and a steady pipeline of innovation.

According to the report, the Pentagon has made significant progress through industrial policy reforms, acquisition modernization, and increased investment in both traditional and nontraditional defense companies.

Signs of Real Progress

Several developments suggest that the U.S. defense industrial base is becoming more dynamic:

  • Approximately 10,000 new firms have entered the defense market over the past two years.
  • Nontraditional defense companies received more than $120 billion in contract obligations during FY2025.
  • Munitions contract obligations have increased by 330% since FY2010.
  • The Department of Defense is increasingly using multiyear procurement agreements to encourage manufacturers to expand production capacity.

These initiatives signal a shift toward creating predictable demand that encourages industry to invest in long-term manufacturing capacity.

Defense Spending Is Growing—but Is It Enough?

While defense spending has increased substantially in absolute dollars, it has remained relatively stable as a percentage of GDP. The report argues that true wartime footing would require spending levels closer to 4.6% of GDP, as proposed in the FY2027 budget request, compared with approximately 3.1% in 2025.

International comparisons illustrate the gap:

  • Ukraine, Israel, and Russia currently devote much larger shares of their economies to defense.
  • The United States remains above most allies but below countries actively engaged in sustained conflict.

Munitions: The Critical Bottleneck

One of the report’s strongest messages concerns munitions production.

Although funding has increased dramatically, manufacturing timelines remain lengthy. Many advanced missiles still require 25 to 51 months from production start to delivery. Meanwhile, recent conflicts have exposed the vulnerability of existing stockpiles, particularly for missile defense interceptors like Patriot and THAAD.

To address these challenges, the Pentagon is:

  • Expanding missile production capacity.
  • Investing in new manufacturing facilities.
  • Supporting affordable, high-volume weapon systems.
  • Accelerating domestic drone production.

The strategic emphasis is shifting from simply producing highly sophisticated weapons to balancing quality with affordability and scale.

Strengthening the Supply Chain

A resilient defense industry depends on more than final assembly lines.

The report highlights growing investment in the solid rocket motor sector, where new entrants such as emerging manufacturers are helping diversify production and reduce bottlenecks. Government investment, multiyear procurement agreements, and direct capital support are being used to encourage competition and increase capacity.

This represents a broader shift from relying on a small number of legacy suppliers toward developing a more competitive industrial ecosystem.

The Rare Earth Challenge

Perhaps the most strategic vulnerability identified is America’s dependence on China for rare earth materials.

Rare earth elements are essential for advanced military technologies, including guided missiles, radar systems, electric motors, and numerous defense electronics.

To reduce this dependence, the U.S. government has significantly expanded investment in domestic production and processing:

  • Announced government commitments reached approximately $7.6 billion during 2025–2026.
  • This represents a 321% increase compared with the previous four years.
  • New initiatives aim to build a complete domestic “mine-to-magnet” supply chain.

While encouraging, the report emphasizes that rebuilding an industry lost over several decades will require sustained effort over many years.

Allies Matter

The report also stresses that industrial resilience cannot be achieved alone.

Foreign military sales have increased by 347% since FY2015, reflecting stronger defense cooperation with allies and partners. Beyond exports, the United States is expanding joint production, co-development, and shared industrial initiatives with countries including Canada, Finland, and South Korea.

International collaboration is increasingly viewed as an essential component of industrial resilience rather than simply a diplomatic tool.

The Bottom Line

The CSIS report concludes that the United States has made genuine progress toward building a wartime-ready industrial base. Defense investment is increasing, acquisition reforms are accelerating, manufacturing capacity is expanding, and critical supply chains are receiving renewed attention.

However, important challenges remain:

  • Production lead times are still measured in years.
  • Critical munitions inventories remain insufficient.
  • Rare earth supply chains are only beginning to diversify.
  • Industrial reforms must consistently translate investment into sustained production capacity.

Ultimately, wartime readiness is not a milestone that can simply be declared—it is an ongoing process requiring long-term commitment from government, industry, and allied partners. The strength of America’s future deterrence will depend not only on technological superiority but also on its ability to manufacture, replenish, and sustain military capability faster than potential adversaries.

Source: CSIS

From Swami Vivekananda to AI: How Indian Americans Are Shaping America’s Next 250 Years

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Published on July 4, 2026

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary in 2026, the moment invites more than celebration—it calls for reflection on what has sustained American leadership and what will define its future.

America’s greatest competitive advantage has never been geography or natural resources alone. It has been its ability to attract exceptional talent, embrace entrepreneurship, and transform ideas into global industries.

Few communities illustrate that advantage more clearly than Indian Americans.

From technology and healthcare to finance, manufacturing, higher education, and public service, Indian Americans have become one of the country’s most influential engines of innovation. Their success is not simply an immigrant success story; it is evidence that America’s openness to global talent remains one of its most valuable strategic assets.

A Partnership Built Over More Than a Century

The relationship between India and the United States is often described today as one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. That strategic alignment, however, rests on foundations laid decades earlier.

In 1893, Swami Vivekananda captivated audiences at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago with his now-famous opening, “Sisters and Brothers of America.” His message of pluralism, mutual respect, and shared humanity resonated deeply within an emerging American society.

More than six decades later, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. traveled to India to study Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance. Calling himself “a pilgrim,” King recognized that Gandhi’s ideas provided both a moral framework and a practical strategy for advancing America’s civil rights movement.

The exchange of ideas between the world’s two largest democracies did not merely influence history. It continues to shape their future.

The Diaspora Has Become A Strategic Asset

Today, more than five million Indian Americans serve as an economic and intellectual bridge between the United States and India.

Their impact extends far beyond demographics.

Indian Americans have founded and led companies that employ hundreds of thousands of Americans, developed technologies used by billions of people, advanced life-saving medical research, and contributed to the nation’s scientific and defense capabilities.

Across Silicon Valley, Wall Street, research universities, healthcare systems, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing, Indian American professionals occupy leadership positions that influence global markets.

Artificial intelligence provides perhaps the clearest example.

As AI becomes the defining technology platform of this generation, Indian American founders, researchers, engineers, and executives are helping develop the infrastructure, enterprise software, semiconductor ecosystems, and governance models that will determine how this technology transforms society.

Innovation today is increasingly multidisciplinary, requiring expertise across engineering, policy, ethics, cybersecurity, and business strategy. Communities that naturally bridge multiple cultures and global markets bring an important competitive advantage.

Immigration Is Economic Strategy

America’s immigration debate is often framed through politics.

It should also be viewed through the lens of economic competitiveness.

The United States competes globally for entrepreneurs, scientists, physicians, researchers, and engineers. Lengthy employment-based immigration backlogs and uncertain pathways to permanent residency create unnecessary friction for individuals who are already contributing to the nation’s economy.

Retaining highly skilled talent is not merely an immigration objective; it is an innovation strategy.

Countries around the world increasingly compete for the same global workforce. America’s long-term leadership depends on remaining the preferred destination for those who create companies, develop new technologies, and generate high-value employment.

Leadership Extends Beyond The Private Sector

Economic success alone does not build resilient democracies.

As Indian Americans continue to grow professionally, the next phase of leadership should increasingly include civic engagement.

Representation in local government, school boards, state legislatures, federal agencies, the judiciary, and public policy strengthens democratic institutions while ensuring that rapidly evolving communities have a voice in shaping the future.

Equally important is local investment.

Mentoring young entrepreneurs, supporting STEM education, expanding digital literacy, volunteering within neighborhoods, and strengthening community organizations create lasting economic and social returns that extend far beyond philanthropy.

Leadership is measured not only by market capitalization, but also by community impact.

The Next American Century

America’s next 250 years will be defined by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, quantum computing, clean energy, and geopolitical competition.

Winning that future will require sustained investment in innovation, world-class education, resilient democratic institutions, and the continued ability to attract extraordinary talent from around the globe.

The Indian American community represents a compelling example of what becomes possible when those conditions exist.

Its story is ultimately not about one community’s success.

It is about the enduring strength of the American model itself—a nation that continues to transform global talent into economic growth, scientific leadership, entrepreneurial excellence, and civic contribution.

As America enters its next quarter millennium, preserving that model may prove to be one of the country’s most important competitive advantages.

Source: MSN

#Germany’s Role in the Global Race for #NuclearFusion

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As the world races toward a cleaner and more sustainable future, one technology is capturing the attention of scientists, investors, and governments alike—nuclear fusion.

Often described as the “holy grail” of clean energy, fusion promises an almost limitless source of electricity without the carbon emissions of fossil fuels or the long-lived radioactive waste associated with traditional nuclear power. With artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and massive data centers driving global electricity demand to record levels, the search for reliable clean energy has never been more urgent.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global fusion energy market could exceed $350 billion by 2050, making it one of the most valuable emerging industries of the coming decades.

What Makes Nuclear Fusion Different?

Unlike conventional nuclear power, which generates electricity by splitting atoms (nuclear fission), nuclear fusion combines light atomic nuclei to form heavier ones, releasing enormous amounts of energy in the process—the same reaction that powers the Sun.

Fusion offers several major advantages:

  • Produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
  • Generates minimal long-term radioactive waste.
  • Has a much lower risk of catastrophic accidents.
  • Can provide continuous, weather-independent electricity.

If successfully commercialized, fusion could transform global energy production.

From Government Megaprojects to Startup Innovation

For decades, fusion research was dominated by massive publicly funded projects like ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor being built in southern France.

Supported by 35 countries, including members of the European Union, the United States, China, Russia, and others, ITER represents one of the largest scientific collaborations ever attempted.

However, the project has faced significant delays and soaring costs since construction began in 2007, with operations now expected sometime between 2034 and 2036.

Meanwhile, a new generation of private companies is taking a faster, more entrepreneurial approach to fusion development.

Today, around 77 private fusion companies are working worldwide to commercialize the technology.

Germany’s Four Fusion Startups

Germany has become one of Europe’s most active fusion hubs, with four ambitious startups entering the global race:

1. Focused Energy

Founded in 2021, Focused Energy specializes in laser-driven fusion, inspired by breakthroughs achieved at the U.S. National Ignition Facility.

The company recently secured an additional €60 million investment from energy giant RWE, which plans to host a prototype fusion plant at its former nuclear site in Biblis.

Focused Energy aims to build a commercial reactor prototype by 2037, with the first commercial power plant expected in the early 2040s.

2. Marvel Fusion

Marvel Fusion has attracted some of the largest private investments among European fusion startups.

Like Focused Energy, it focuses on laser-based fusion technology and continues expanding its partnerships with industrial and research organizations.

3. Proxima Fusion

Proxima Fusion is pursuing advanced magnetic confinement technologies and aims to develop highly efficient fusion reactors designed for commercial electricity generation.

The startup has quickly become one of Europe’s most closely watched fusion companies.

4. Gauss Fusion

Gauss Fusion is working on integrating advanced reactor technologies while collaborating with industrial partners across Europe.

Its goal is to accelerate the commercialization of large-scale fusion power systems.

Billions Are Flowing Into Fusion

Fusion is one of the most capital-intensive technologies ever developed.

By the end of 2025, nearly €13 billion in private investment had been committed worldwide, with funding increasing by roughly 30% during 2025 alone.

Investment distribution shows where the global leaders currently stand:

  • 53% invested in U.S. companies
  • Around one-third invested in Chinese firms
  • Just over €700 million invested across European fusion startups

Among European companies, Germany’s Marvel Fusion and Focused Energy have attracted the largest share of funding.

The U.S. and China Still Lead

Although Germany’s ecosystem is growing rapidly, the United States and China currently dominate the fusion landscape.

China benefits from substantial government investment, while American companies receive strong backing from major technology firms and private investors.

Examples include:

  • Google investing in TAE Technologies and Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
  • Microsoft signing future electricity purchase agreements with Helion Energy.
  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman backing Helion Energy through private investment.

This combination of public funding and private capital has allowed U.S. companies to move aggressively toward commercialization.

Germany’s Competitive Advantage

Despite the funding gap, German researchers remain optimistic.

Professor Markus Roth, co-founder of Focused Energy, believes Germany possesses a unique innovation ecosystem combining world-class universities, industrial manufacturers, and cutting-edge research institutes.

Germany also holds a major advantage in precision optics—a critical technology for laser-based fusion.

According to Roth, the next challenge is manufacturing laser systems at industrial scale, much like Germany’s world-renowned automotive industry produces vehicles with exceptional precision.

If successful, the optics industry could become another cornerstone of Germany’s future economy.

Government Support Is Growing

Recognizing fusion’s strategic importance, the German government included nuclear fusion among the country’s six key future technologies in its High-Tech Agenda.

More than €2 billion in public funding has been pledged during the current legislative term to accelerate research and commercialization.

However, building commercial fusion plants will require far greater investment.

Focused Energy estimates it currently needs between €150 million and €200 million annually, while the first pilot commercial plant could ultimately cost several billion euros.

Looking Ahead

Commercial fusion power remains a long-term challenge, but progress is accelerating faster than many experts expected just a few years ago.

If current development timelines hold, the world’s first commercial fusion reactors could begin supplying electricity in the early 2040s.

The global race is no longer confined to government laboratories. Startups, venture capital, industrial giants, and national governments are now competing to unlock one of humanity’s most transformative energy technologies.

Whether Germany’s emerging fusion companies can compete with the financial powerhouses of the United States and China remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the race to harness the power of the stars has truly begun—and its outcome could reshape the future of global energy.

Source: MSN

#Canadian #Ontario Town to Host North #America’s First Battery-Grade #Cobalt Refinery

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A small Northern Ontario community is set to play a major role in North America’s clean energy future.

Electra Battery Materials is moving forward with plans to build North America’s first battery-grade cobalt refinery in Cobalt, Ont., with commercial operations expected to begin by the end of 2027. Once operational, the facility will produce up to 6,500 tonnes of cobalt sulfate annually—enough to supply approximately one million electric vehicle batteries each year.

A milestone for North America’s battery industry

The refinery will be the first of its kind in North America and only the second battery-grade cobalt refinery outside China. The project marks a significant step toward strengthening the continent’s critical mineral supply chain as demand for electric vehicles, energy storage systems and advanced technologies continues to grow.

Electra says the refinery will process cobalt hydroxide sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the material shipped through South Africa and Montreal before being refined in Canada.

Reducing reliance on China

China currently dominates global cobalt refining, processing more than 75 per cent of the world’s supply. By establishing refining capacity in Canada, the project aims to diversify supply chains and improve North America’s access to a mineral considered essential for electric vehicles, consumer electronics and defence technologies.

Electra CEO Trent Mell says critical minerals have become increasingly important not only for transportation and renewable energy, but also for national security.

The refinery has received financial support from both the Canadian and U.S. governments, reflecting growing efforts to build more resilient domestic supply chains for critical minerals.

Industry sees both opportunity and challenges

While demand for cobalt is expected to increase, some industry experts note that evolving battery technologies could reduce future dependence on the metal. Others point to ongoing concerns surrounding cobalt mined in the DRC, particularly related to human rights and responsible sourcing.

Electra says it is committed to responsible procurement practices and believes cobalt will remain a critical material, particularly as demand grows in defence applications alongside the electric vehicle market.

A new chapter for the town of Cobalt

The refinery also represents an economic transformation for the historic mining community of Cobalt. Once one of the world’s leading silver-producing regions following the area’s famous 1903 discovery, the town is now positioning itself as a key hub in North America’s battery materials industry.

Although commercially viable local cobalt reserves have yet to be developed, the new refinery could help establish Cobalt as an important processing centre, supporting Canada’s broader strategy to strengthen its critical minerals sector and secure the supply chain for next-generation technologies.

Source: MSN

#China’s Sci-Tech Innovation Capacity Reaches New Heights: A Look Back at the 14th Five-Year Plan

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A futuristic scene depicting quantum mechanics concepts alongside advanced technology, featuring a scientist in a lab, a robotic arm, a space station, and a ship, all set against a backdrop of the Chinese flag.

China has concluded the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025) with remarkable achievements in science, technology, and innovation. According to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the country has significantly strengthened its innovation ecosystem, accelerated breakthroughs in strategic technologies, and deepened the integration of innovation across economic and social development.

From record investments in research and development to advancements in aerospace, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, China’s progress demonstrates the growing role of science and technology as a driver of high-quality growth.

Rising Investment Fuels Innovation

One of the most notable achievements during the past five years has been the steady increase in research and development (R&D) investment.

China’s R&D expenditure grew from RMB 2.44 trillion in 2020 to RMB 3.93 trillion in 2025, representing an average annual growth rate of 10 percent. At the same time, R&D intensity—the proportion of R&D spending relative to GDP—increased from 2.36 percent to 2.80 percent, surpassing the average level of OECD countries.

The country also continued to expand its scientific workforce. Full-time R&D personnel increased from 5.24 million person-years in 2020 to 7.95 million person-years in 2025, maintaining China’s position as the global leader in R&D talent for 13 consecutive years.

The commercialization of research has also accelerated. The value of technology contracts nationwide rose sharply from RMB 2.8 trillion to RMB 7.6 trillion, highlighting stronger links between scientific discovery and industrial application.

Breakthroughs in Strategic Technologies

The 14th Five-Year Plan period witnessed major advances in frontier science and key technologies.

China established 77 national major scientific and technological infrastructure projects, many of which have reached internationally advanced standards. Significant progress was made in areas including:

  • Quantum information science
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Life sciences
  • Deep-sea exploration
  • Deep-earth research
  • Deep-space exploration

The country also achieved important milestones in semiconductor development, operating systems, and LiDAR technologies, strengthening its technological self-reliance in critical sectors.

Several landmark projects symbolize these achievements:

  • The Tiangong Space Station entered full operation and application.
  • The domestically developed C919 large passenger aircraft began regular commercial operations.
  • The “Mengxiang” deep-ocean drilling vessel was successfully commissioned.

These accomplishments demonstrate China’s growing ability to develop and deploy cutting-edge technologies at scale.

Building New Quality Productive Forces

Innovation has increasingly become the foundation of China’s industrial transformation.

By the end of 2025, the country had cultivated:

  • More than 600,000 technology and innovation-focused SMEs
  • 504,000 high-tech enterprises
  • Over 140,000 specialized and sophisticated SMEs

Digital transformation has also accelerated across industries. Nearly 90 percent of industrial enterprises above designated size had completed digital transformation initiatives by the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, the “three new” economy—consisting of new industries, new business formats, and new business models—accounted for 18.01 percent of GDP in 2024, representing a significant increase compared with 2020.

China’s digital economy continued to expand, reaching 33.1 percent of GDP in 2024. The country also led the world with 101 “lighthouse factories,” globally recognized manufacturing facilities that showcase advanced digital and intelligent production capabilities.

Innovation Delivering Real-World Benefits

The impact of technological progress extends far beyond laboratories and factories.

Industrial robots are now deployed across 71 major industrial sectors, with China’s robot density significantly exceeding the global average. In the energy sector, the country accounts for more than half of the world’s installed new energy storage capacity.

Agricultural modernization has also accelerated, with the contribution rate of agricultural technological advancement surpassing 64 percent in 2025.

In healthcare, digital innovation has improved accessibility and efficiency. Remote medical service networks now cover every city and county nationwide, while cross-provincial direct settlement systems for medical expenses have benefited more than 560 million patient visits.

These developments illustrate how innovation is improving productivity, sustainability, and quality of life across society.

Looking Ahead: The 15th Five-Year Plan

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), the focus is shifting from building innovation capacity to maximizing innovation efficiency.

The latest report emphasizes the need to:

  • Deepen reforms in the science and technology system
  • Improve the efficiency of innovation ecosystems
  • Strengthen high-level technological self-reliance
  • Accelerate the development of new quality productive forces
  • Foster deeper integration between technological innovation and economic growth

With a stronger research base, world-class infrastructure, growing digital capabilities, and a thriving innovation ecosystem, China is positioning itself to play an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of global science and technology.

Conclusion

The achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan demonstrate a significant leap in China’s scientific and technological capabilities. Increased R&D investment, expanding talent resources, breakthroughs in strategic technologies, and widespread digital transformation have collectively strengthened the nation’s innovation-driven development model.

As the next five-year period begins, China’s continued commitment to science, technology, and innovation is expected to serve as a key engine for sustainable economic growth, industrial modernization, and improved public well-being.

#Congo’s #Cobalt Power Play: How #Kinshasa Is Reshaping the Global #CriticalMinerals Landscape

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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is no longer content with being merely the world’s largest cobalt supplier. Through a combination of export controls, strategic partnerships, and geopolitical repositioning, Kinshasa is transforming its role from resource provider to market maker.

The implications extend far beyond commodity markets. Congo’s evolving cobalt strategy is influencing global supply chains, altering China’s dominance in critical minerals, and creating new opportunities for Western investors seeking secure access to strategic resources.

From Price Taker to Price Setter

For years, Congo’s vast cobalt reserves fueled global battery production while the country remained vulnerable to commodity price cycles and foreign influence. That dynamic is changing.

Since imposing cobalt export restrictions in early 2025, Congo has steadily tightened control over the flow of the metal. A complete export ban eventually gave way to a quota system, but the impact on global supply has been profound.

China, historically the dominant buyer of Congolese cobalt, has seen imports collapse. Customs data show that Chinese imports of Congolese cobalt intermediates during the first four months of 2026 were only a fraction of the volumes recorded during the same period a year earlier.

The result has been a dramatic tightening of supply. Cobalt prices have more than doubled from pre-restriction levels, while unusual pricing patterns have emerged throughout the supply chain. Cobalt hydroxide—the primary form exported from Congo—has at times traded at prices equal to or even above refined cobalt metal, highlighting growing concerns about access to raw material.

What initially appeared to be a temporary supply disruption increasingly looks like a structural shift. Market participants are beginning to attach a premium to cobalt sourced from Congo, reflecting both scarcity and strategic importance.

Reducing Dependence on China

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Congo’s strategy is its attempt to diversify away from overwhelming dependence on Chinese operators.

China has spent decades building a dominant position in Congolese mining and refining. Chinese companies control many of the country’s largest cobalt and copper assets, while Chinese refiners process much of the world’s cobalt supply.

Now, however, Kinshasa appears determined to rebalance those relationships.

Recent developments suggest growing momentum behind Western investment initiatives. U.S.-based critical minerals platform Virtus Minerals recently acquired the copper and cobalt assets of Chemaf, positioning itself to revive operations that have faced years of uncertainty.

At the same time, Congo’s state-backed Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) has entered into agreements with commodity trader Trafigura and U.S. startup EVelution to support a proposed cobalt refinery in Arizona. Such projects could create direct links between Congolese mines and American manufacturing, reducing reliance on Chinese processing capacity.

These developments align closely with broader U.S. efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains amid intensifying competition with China.

Infrastructure Creates New Options

Infrastructure is playing a crucial role in Congo’s westward pivot.

The Lobito Atlantic Railway, backed by Western governments and investors, is emerging as a strategic alternative export route. Connecting the Congolese copper belt to Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito, the corridor provides access to global markets without relying exclusively on transport networks historically aligned with Chinese interests.

The railway has become a symbol of a larger geopolitical contest over critical minerals. Control over extraction matters, but so does control over logistics, processing, and market access.

For Western investors, the corridor offers a practical pathway for moving minerals to Europe and North America. For Congo, it provides leverage and flexibility.

Solving the Artisanal Mining Challenge

Despite these opportunities, one major obstacle remains: artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).

Artisanal miners produce a significant share of Congo’s cobalt, but the sector has long been associated with unsafe working conditions, child labor concerns, and informal trading networks. These issues have discouraged many Western buyers from sourcing Congolese cobalt directly.

The government understands that expanding access to Western markets requires stronger assurances around responsible sourcing.

To address this challenge, EGC has partnered with commodity trader Mercuria to establish what is being described as a “gold standard” framework for ethical artisanal cobalt production at the Kasulo mining site.

Success is far from guaranteed. Previous efforts to formalize the artisanal mining sector have delivered mixed results. However, creating a transparent and verifiable supply chain is essential if Congo hopes to attract Western customers seeking ethically sourced critical minerals.

The stakes are high. Without credible solutions, concerns over “blood cobalt” could continue limiting market access regardless of supply shortages.

Growing Leverage in a Tightening Market

Congo’s position is being strengthened by supply disruptions elsewhere.

Several competing sources of cobalt face challenges. Canadian producer Sherritt International’s refining operations have come under pressure from U.S. sanctions affecting its Cuban partnerships. Madagascar’s Ambatovy nickel-cobalt project suffered cyclone-related disruptions and is undergoing ownership changes. Meanwhile, Indonesian producers are grappling with tighter mining quotas and processing constraints.

These developments further increase Congo’s influence over a market where it already accounts for more than 70% of global mine production.

In other words, there are few realistic alternatives.

A New Strategic Role

The broader story is not simply about higher cobalt prices. It is about a country leveraging its resource dominance to reshape its geopolitical position.

By restricting exports, encouraging Western investment, developing alternative infrastructure, and attempting to formalize artisanal production, Congo is seeking greater control over both its resources and its future.

Whether the strategy succeeds remains uncertain. Balancing relationships with China while attracting Western capital will require careful diplomacy. Reforming the artisanal mining sector will be difficult. And sustaining investor confidence will depend on political stability and regulatory consistency.

Yet one thing is increasingly clear: Congo is no longer just supplying the global cobalt market. It is actively redefining it.

As demand for batteries, electric vehicles, defense technologies, and advanced electronics continues to grow, Congo’s decisions will have an outsized influence on the future of critical minerals. The country is emerging not merely as a producer of cobalt, but as one of the most important strategic players in the global race for resources.

This version is designed for a business, commodities, mining, or geopolitical affairs audience and is fully original rather than a rewrite of the Reuters text.

From #BlackMass to New Batteries: How #China Is Closing the #EV Recycling Loop – Digital Tracing

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As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly common on roads around the world, a new challenge is emerging: what happens to their batteries when they reach the end of their useful life?

China, the world’s largest EV market, is already facing this question at scale. Industry estimates show that nearly 400,000 tonnes of retired EV batteries were generated in 2025, and that figure is expected to exceed one million tonnes annually by 2030.

Rather than viewing these batteries as waste, Chinese recycling companies are treating them as valuable urban mines. At a large recycling facility operated by Brunp Recycling, a subsidiary of battery giant CATL, discarded batteries are being transformed into high-quality materials that can be used to manufacture the next generation of EV batteries.

Giving Old Batteries a Second Life

At Brunp’s integrated circular economy industrial park in Yichang, Hubei Province, trucks carrying retired EV batteries arrive every day. Each battery pack is carefully inspected, sorted, and recorded before entering the recycling process.

Most of these batteries have degraded to less than 80 percent of their original capacity. While they can no longer deliver the performance required for modern electric vehicles, they still contain valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and aluminum.

In the past, weak oversight sometimes allowed retired batteries to re-enter the market through unauthorized channels, creating safety and environmental risks. To address this challenge, China launched a national traceability platform in 2026 that tracks every power battery throughout its lifecycle—from manufacturing and installation to retirement and recycling.

This digital tracking system helps ensure batteries are processed by certified recyclers and gives consumers greater confidence that their retired batteries will be handled responsibly.

Inside the Recycling Process

Once verified, battery packs move onto automated dismantling lines where robotic systems remove protective casings and separate battery cells.

Safety is a critical concern. Before further processing, each battery cell undergoes complete discharge to eliminate any remaining electrical energy.

The cells are then crushed into small fragments and sent through a series of specialized treatments. High-temperature pyrolysis under a nitrogen atmosphere helps break down materials while preventing unwanted reactions. Additional screening and sorting processes recover metals such as copper and aluminum for direct reuse.

What remains is a fine black powder known throughout the industry as black mass.

The Value Hidden in Black Mass

Black mass is the most valuable output of battery recycling. It contains concentrated amounts of critical battery minerals, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese.

Recovering these materials efficiently has long been one of the biggest technical challenges in battery recycling.

At Brunp’s hydrometallurgical facility, black mass is mixed with specially formulated acidic solutions inside large reaction tanks. The metals dissolve into a complex liquid mixture, creating what engineers sometimes call a “metal soup.”

Advanced separation technologies then isolate and purify each metal. According to the company, its direct recycling process achieves recovery rates of 99.6 percent for nickel, cobalt, and manganese, while lithium recovery reaches 96.5 percent.

These recovery rates represent a significant improvement over traditional recycling methods, which often suffered from lower efficiency, higher energy consumption, and larger volumes of waste residue.

Turning Waste into New Battery Materials

The purified materials are ultimately converted into battery-grade lithium carbonate and iron phosphate—two key ingredients used in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

One of the most impressive aspects of the operation is its integration with nearby manufacturing facilities. Once regenerated, the materials are transported directly to neighboring plants where they are processed into new cathode materials for battery production.

The entire transformation—from retired battery pack to regenerated cathode raw material—takes only about one week.

Even more remarkable, batteries produced using recycled materials can perform at levels comparable to those made from newly mined resources. According to engineers at the facility, these batteries can support faster charging speeds, longer driving ranges, and lower-carbon manufacturing processes.

Building a Circular Battery Economy

Beyond recovering materials, the recycling process is helping improve future battery designs.

Engineers continuously share lessons learned from dismantling and material recovery with battery manufacturers. This feedback loop allows designers to create batteries that are easier to disassemble, recycle, and process at the end of their lives.

Recommendations include simplifying battery pack structures for automated dismantling and optimizing material compositions to improve future recovery and purification rates.

This approach creates a true circular economy: batteries are designed for recycling, recycled into raw materials, and then transformed into new batteries that can eventually re-enter the cycle.

The Road Ahead

As EV adoption continues to accelerate globally, battery recycling will become a critical pillar of the clean energy transition.

Recycling reduces dependence on newly mined raw materials, lowers environmental impacts, improves resource security, and helps create a sustainable supply chain for future battery production.

The journey from discarded battery to new energy storage device may begin with a substance called black mass, but it ultimately demonstrates something far more valuable: how innovation can transform waste into a strategic resource for a greener future.

This version is suitable for publication on a corporate sustainability blog, energy industry website, or technology news platform.

#Chinese Space Computing Industry Innovation Center

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In early June, the Chinese government quietly approved the creation of the Space Computing Industry Innovation Center, a major initiative designed to unite rocket and satellite manufacturers, semiconductor companies, and AI technology firms in building a space-based computing network. According to Beijing officials, the project aims to integrate the entire space-computing supply chain while accelerating the development of the satellite Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.

The announcement largely flew under the radar, but industry observers quickly noted its significance. Research firm SemiAnalysis pointed out on X that China unveiled the initiative roughly a week before Elon Musk revealed plans for his AI1 satellite, a spacecraft intended to run AI workloads directly in orbit.

The center is scheduled to officially launch later this month and will focus on six key areas of research: developing highly reliable, heat-resistant computing chips for space environments; building high-performance interconnected computing payloads; establishing standardized satellite computing platforms; training large AI models under severe power constraints; integrating space- and ground-based cloud networking systems; and creating service-oriented, tokenized business models for orbital computing resources.

Together, these efforts are aimed at creating an AI-powered data center in orbit—one that operates independently of terrestrial power grids and sidesteps many of the energy, land, and infrastructure constraints facing traditional data centers on Earth.

While Musk’s AI1 satellite has dominated headlines this week, China’s move suggests that the race toward space-based AI infrastructure is becoming increasingly competitive. However, it is worth noting that Musk’s ambitions in this area are not new. He has discussed the concept of orbital computing since late 2025 and, in February 2026, SpaceX filed plans with the FCC for a one-million-satellite Orbital Data Center System. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos has entered the field as well, with Project Sunrise—a proposed constellation of 51,600 satellites operating in sun-synchronous orbit.

What distinguishes China’s approach is its emphasis on collaboration. Rather than relying on a single corporate entity, Beijing is coordinating multiple companies, research institutions, and industrial partners to jointly develop the underlying technologies required for space-based AI computing. By contrast, SpaceX and Blue Origin appear to be pursuing largely independent strategies. SpaceX, in particular, seems focused on vertical integration, supported by projects such as its massive Gigasat manufacturing facility and Musk’s ambitious TeraFab initiative.

Whether a centralized, state-coordinated ecosystem will outperform the resource-intensive efforts of a handful of private companies remains an open question. A collaborative model could distribute risk and make resulting technologies broadly accessible across Chinese industry, while private-sector approaches may benefit from faster execution and tighter integration.

What is clear, however, is that China is treating orbital computing infrastructure as a strategic priority. For a country that already possesses abundant electricity generation capacity and significant room for expanding terrestrial data centers, its willingness to invest heavily in space-based computing highlights the growing belief that the next frontier of AI infrastructure may extend far beyond Earth’s surface.

Source: MSN

Introducing Oppanol® N PLUS: A Breakthrough in #EVBattery Materials

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Infographic illustrating the evolution of battery technology from the 1900s to the 2020s, featuring images of various battery types including lead-acid, nickel-iron, lithium-ion, and solid-state batteries, alongside keywords and descriptions reflecting advancements in materials and performance.

BASF Introduces Oppanol® N PLUS for Next-Generation EV Batteries at Battery Show Europe 2026

BASF has unveiled Oppanol® N PLUS, a new high-performance binder designed to address the evolving demands of next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The company is showcasing the innovation at the Battery Show Europe 2026, taking place from June 9–11 in Stuttgart, Germany.

As battery technologies advance toward solid-state batteries (SSBs), manufacturers require materials that can deliver greater reliability, efficiency, and performance. Solid-state batteries are expected to provide longer driving ranges, faster charging capabilities, and enhanced safety, increasing the performance requirements for every component within the battery system.

Advancing Battery Performance and Manufacturing Consistency

Developed using BASF’s established polyisobutylene (PIB) technology, Oppanol® N PLUS is engineered specifically for modern battery applications. As a critical binder material, it helps maintain cohesion among active materials in the cathode, anode, or electrolyte while preserving structural integrity throughout the battery’s operational life.

The material’s high elasticity and flexibility enable it to absorb mechanical stresses caused by repeated charging and discharging cycles, supporting enhanced durability and long-term battery stability. Its chemically inert nature also helps minimize unwanted side reactions that could negatively affect battery performance.

One of the standout features of Oppanol® N PLUS is its consistently high product quality, achieved through tightly controlled manufacturing specifications. This allows battery producers to reduce process variability, limit reformulation efforts, streamline quality-control procedures, and implement production adjustments more efficiently and reliably.

To further support customers, BASF is improving product accessibility through stock availability and more flexible supply options, including package sizes starting at 20 kilograms. These measures are intended to help battery manufacturers and OEMs accelerate the development and commercialization of high-performance batteries for electric mobility.

According to Madeleine Jordan, Global Business Management Oppanol at BASF, the launch demonstrates the company’s commitment to combining decades of materials expertise with the evolving needs of the electromobility sector, while continuously enhancing proven technologies to support sustainable innovation.

Celebrating 95 Years of Oppanol Innovation

The introduction of Oppanol® N PLUS coincides with a major milestone for BASF: 95 years of polyisobutylene innovation.

The origins of the Oppanol product family date back to 1931, when chemist Michael Otto successfully demonstrated the polymerization of isobutene under suitable conditions. That same year, BASF patented a manufacturing process for polyisobutylene (PIB), which later became known as Oppanol—a name derived from Oppau, the Ludwigshafen district where the technology originated.

After seven years of intensive research and development, BASF began industrial-scale production in 1938 at its dedicated Oppanol facility. The material soon gained international recognition for its transparency, resistance to water and gases, chemical stability, safety profile, and strong adhesive properties.

Today, Oppanol is used across a broad range of industries and applications, including chewing gum, medical adhesive bandages, insulating glass units, cable insulation, roofing membranes, pipeline coatings, and advanced battery systems. Its durability, reliability, and chemical resistance have enabled the material to remain relevant while evolving to meet the requirements of emerging energy technologies.

With the launch of Oppanol® N PLUS, BASF is building on nearly a century of innovation, positioning the technology to support the future of electric mobility and advanced energy storage solutions.

Source: The Battery Magazine

#India’s #EV Market Gains Momentum as Fuel Costs Rise, but Challenges Remain

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Busy street scene in Chennai featuring an MTC electric bus and several electric scooters, with pedestrians and signage in the background.

India’s electric vehicle (EV) market is gaining traction as rising fuel prices, regulatory changes, and expanding model offerings encourage more consumers to switch from conventional vehicles.

Electric car sales rose 25% in the year ending March 2026, with EVs surpassing 5% of India’s passenger vehicle market—a key milestone often viewed as the threshold for mainstream adoption. Growth has been strongest in vehicles priced above ₹1 million, where EVs now account for one in every ten sales.

The recent surge in crude oil prices, driven in part by tensions in the Middle East, has strengthened the economic case for EVs. India imports nearly 90% of its oil requirements, making it vulnerable to global energy price fluctuations. Higher fuel costs have prompted increased consumer interest in electric mobility.

Long-term policy support is also expected to drive adoption. Proposed CAFE-3 emission standards, scheduled to take effect from April 2027, would significantly tighten fuel-efficiency and carbon-emission requirements for automakers. Industry analysts believe the new regulations could accelerate EV penetration by making compliance targets more stringent and enforceable.

State governments are also pushing the transition. Delhi has proposed phasing out registrations of new internal combustion engine (ICE) two- and three-wheelers by 2027 as part of efforts to reduce air pollution.

Analysts expect further growth to be supported by a strong pipeline of new EV launches, particularly in the passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments. Nomura forecasts EV penetration in India’s passenger vehicle market could reach 9% by 2030.

Despite the positive outlook, significant challenges remain. Charging infrastructure continues to lag demand, with public charging stations increasing to more than 10,000 nationwide but remaining concentrated in a few states. Consumer concerns over charging availability and driving range continue to slow adoption.

India also remains heavily dependent on imported battery materials and rare earth elements, exposing the sector to supply-chain and geopolitical risks. Industry experts note that developing a fully integrated domestic EV supply chain could take more than a decade.

While rising fuel prices and supportive policies are boosting demand, industry observers say the pace of India’s EV transition will ultimately depend on regulatory certainty, infrastructure expansion, and stronger domestic manufacturing capabilities.

This version is structured in a concise business-news style, focusing on market trends, drivers, forecasts, and risks rather than narrative storytelling.

Source: BBC News

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