The programmed crisis

A survey of the industry association Swissmem shows that nearly three-quarters of the industrial companies are dependent on commodities, the very short time could be scarce. But every third company is doing nothing against the resulting risks.

They are found in monitors, cell phones, magnets, electric motors and batteries: The rare earth minerals called. The materials are also called "spice metals" because they are used as spices in small doses - also decide the success. About 97 percent of world production of rare earths come from China. Since the country has restricted the export, the industrial nations tremble. They fear running out of their high-tech industrial commodities.
The Swiss industry is affected by the problem. This shows a previously unpublished survey by the Association of Swiss engineering, electrical and metal industry (Swissmem). About a fifth of the 1,000 member companies work in one form or another with commodities from the group of rare earths.

But the problem of shortage of raw materials is limited by no means limited to the rare earths, the survey shows. Up to three quarters of the Swiss industrial companies have a long list of commodities depend, is the Swissmem as "critical raw materials." This group includes such materials, the poor can be replaced by other substances and are degraded only in certain countries. Currently, these raw materials are indeed hardly a problem for Swiss companies dar. "But it could quickly become a problem if there is any shortage," says Jean-Philippe Kohl, Vice Director and Head of Swissmem economic policy.
A precarious situation feared the Swiss industrial companies particularly in raw materials such as chromium, molybdenum, magnesium, tungsten, graphite and cobalt. Half of the 1000 Swissmem members needs at least one of these commodities. Although this process the company does not usually directly. The materials put in prefabricated construction products which they import from Vorfabrikanten. But the risk remains: Where in the world from one of these scarce resources, are still in the Swiss industry's wheels.
Many Swiss companies seem to be that risk but not to be aware of. "A third of companies use the critical commodities make no effort to contain the risks involved," said Kohl.
Possibilities exist: firms can develop common procurement strategies. How does it shows the steel company Schmolz + Bickenbach. This is with the giants Arcelor and Thyssen in Germany in France established a purchasing company, in order to secure nickel. "We get better quality and yet at better prices," said Chief Financial Officer Axel Euchner. Companies can avoid shortages of raw materials and by using the sensitive materials less or not - but that requires much research effort.
"Companies need to realize that they are in a dependency that can be exacerbated in the longer term," warns Kohl. So will Swissmem awareness not only firms but also brings in a policy. "It is important that the federal government committed to an open and non-discriminatory trade in commodities," said Kohl. He speaks to a fear of many observers: that China is secure, the U.S. or the EU, the stocks and small countries be left out. However, Kohl shares this fear. "If the efforts of the EU and U.S. in the conflict over critical resources are that export restrictions of all kinds are reduced, this will also benefit the Switzerland of free flow of commodities across borders," said Kohl.
The Federal Office for National Economic Supply, the issue critical commodities in the eye. "We will look at the results of the survey Swissmem accurately and then decide on further action," says branch manager Ruedi Rytz. Whether it makes sense to set up as a counter measure duty bearings for rare materials, but needs to be clarified further.