About · Strategic Metals

Strategic Metals for a Sustainable Future

Strategic metals are raw materials that play a key role in industry and are essential for economic and technological development. Their recovery is critical to the future of the economy.

01 · The recycling imperative

Recovery is critical to the future of the economy

The dynamically developing recycling industry responds to the challenges of growing demand for raw materials, the need to protect the environment, and the fight against climate change. It plays a key role in promoting a circular economy, reducing dependence on primary raw materials, and limiting greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient use of resources.

02 · Our metals

Nine metals at the core of the transition

Elemental North America’s core business centers on the platinum group metals (PGMs) recovered from spent catalytic converters — with a wider footprint across the strategic metals essential to electrification and clean energy.

Lithium

A soft, silver-white alkali metal — the lightest solid element under standard conditions. Central to modern battery chemistry and energy storage.

Cobalt

Occurs in the Earth's crust in chemically combined form. Critical to lithium-ion battery cathodes and high-temperature alloys.

Nickel

A silvery-white, shiny transition metal — hard and ductile, widely used in stainless steel, batteries, and specialty alloys.

Copper

Soft, malleable, and ductile — with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. The backbone of electrification and grid infrastructure.

RhPGM · Core business

Rhodium

A silver-white, hard, corrosion-resistant and chemically inert transition metal. Recovered from catalytic converters — one of the rarest and most valuable PGMs.

PdPGM · Core business

Palladium

A rare, shiny, silvery-white metal from the platinum group. Widely used in gasoline catalytic converters and electronics.

Silver

A soft, white, shiny transition metal with the highest electrical and thermal conductivity, and light reflectivity, of all metals.

PtPGM · Core business

Platinum

Dense, malleable, and highly non-reactive — with a silvery-white appearance. Core to diesel catalytic converters, jewelry, and industrial catalysis.

Gold

One of the least reactive chemical elements. Naturally alloyed with other metals such as copper and palladium, and recoverable from e-waste and industrial streams.

03 · Critical raw materials

The demand curve is steep — and accelerating

Growing demand in the clean energy sector is increasing the need for key resources. Forecasts point to sharp, sustained growth over the next two decades.

+50%Increase in copper demand projected by 2040.

9×Estimated growth in lithium demand by 2040.

2×Demand for nickel, cobalt, and rare earths expected to double over the next two decades.

Clean energyThe energy transition is the primary driver of demand for critical raw materials.

Source: International Energy Agency — Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024.