53 nearly 80 % of processing capacity in cobalt intermediate products ; in excess of 50 % of global lithium supply and processing ; 70 % of tungsten and 75 % of natural graphite .” It ’ s the backdrop of this geopolitical context which has triggered the proliferation of companies like TechMet investing in the pipeline of supplies and materials . It ’ s fast becoming a high priority , particularly in Washington and Tokyo , where it ’ s recognised there are national security implications that come with China ’ s dominance . The likes of Tesla and Panasonic increasingly look to China for raw materials , heightening what Menell calls “ an enormous sense of vulnerability ” driving the escalation of global trade disputes .
Menell highlights the extent to which companies in the tech metals space can add value by having high environmental and social impact governance standards and capacity goals . “ Products go through a value pipeline to
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