ABSTRACT
Energy transitions have always been associated with materials transitions, shaping and being shaped by the latter. Recent technological trends – renewable energy, vehicle electrification, digitalization – raise concerns about the scale and complexity of material use prospects. This chapter explores the connections between energy and materials transitions, focusing on three aspects. The first comprises fossil-fuel-based organic bulk materials, such as plastics and agrochemicals, and the substitution and/or lower use of such materials. The second refers to inorganic bulk materials, such as steel and cement, which provide the infrastructure to support low-carbon technologies. Primary metals will face declining ore grades by expanding production to lower-quality mines, requiring ever-growing energy use. The third connection between energy and materials transitions refers to critical materials for the ongoing energy transition, which include (1) minor metals, co- or by-products of a primary production; (2) locally concentrated reserves and/or production/processing capacity; and/or (3) specialty metals with low substitutability rate. Rare earth metals, such as cobalt and indium, are examples of these materials for which the shortage of supply could slow down the deployment of clean energy technologies. This chapter shows that the ongoing energy transition needs to be accompanied by a simultaneous, sustainable materials transition on many levels.
