Jarkko Vesa: Recycling of electrical waste and the circular economy of battery materials could help save Europe's competitiveness

(For subscribers.) A geopolitical battle is underway over the critical raw materials required for the green transition. Dependence on China threatens to sink Europe. According to Jarkko Vesa, the circular economy can be a lifeline for the competitiveness of European industry. Is Europe running out of time? “The West has woken up to the risks at the very last moment. We can still react.” This is what Jarkko Vesa, an experienced expert in critical materials, says. Vesa’s warning is worth listening to. He has worked as a consultant, strategist and market analyst for over a decade. His company Not Innovated Here focuses in particular on batteries, critical minerals and metals. Vesa has examined the security of supply and strategic competitiveness of raw materials in Finland and Europe. He has conducted background studies on the availability of critical minerals for, for example, the international energy organization IEA. Geopolitical turmoil is currently upending the entire world order. Vesa sees that critical raw materials are in the eye of the storm. Photos: Tero Pajukallio. Jarkko Vesa has dedicated his career to strategic thinking. He has been involved in building both Finland's national battery ecosystem and the mineral strategy. He has also prepared a strategy for the utilization of mining waste and tailings. The green transition is limping There are certain raw materials that are now needed everywhere: for electric cars...