Automotive Urban Minerals Formation in China and Japan

Abstract

Abstract Automotive electrification is sound for mitigating climate change, but it heavily relies on critical metals and brings serious challenges to material supply chains. Accordingly, we evaluated the resource pressure and risk of the automotive industries in China and Japan (two global automotive industry leaders) based on an urban metabolism analysis. The results show that the formation of automotive urban minerals in China and Japan will increase from 12.0 Mt and 4.4 Mt in 2022 to 47 Mt and 4.8 Mt in 2050, respectively. The industrial circularity degree of most recyclable metals increases over time in China, while Japan reflects a more stable trend. Regarding resource re-supply potential of urban material stocks to future demand, lithium, cobalt, and nickel are the most critical metals in China in 2030, while indium, cerium, and palladium are the most critical metals in Japan. Compared to exploiting geological mines, urban mines are more accessible in cities of China and Japan and less vulnerable to external factors. Improving the overall collection, separation, and recycling ratio is essential for the effective development of UM. Establishing a material circulation automotive industry poses challenges and opportunities for China and Japan. China and Japan, as exemplars of the fast-developing and developed worlds, can provide valuable lessons for the countries that lack automotive electrification targets to define their future aims.