Metis Advisory

Helping international companies in emerging markets.

Beyond the Battery: Rethinking Raw Materials Sourcing for the EV Future

As the global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage skyrockets, the conversation is shifting beyond gigafactories and EV models—right down to the rocks in the ground. The supply of critical battery raw materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese is emerging as both a linchpin and a potential bottleneck in the clean energy transition.

So what’s the real story behind these materials? And why should battery and automotive companies be thinking critically—literally and figuratively—about where and how they source them?

The New “Materials Trilimma”

According to McKinsey1, the industry faces what they call a “materials trilemma”: availability, affordability, and sustainability. As EV adoption accelerates—projected to hit 28 million passenger units by 2030—battery-grade minerals must be:

  • Regionally accessible (to avoid overreliance on a few nations),
  • Economically viable (in a volatile commodities market), and
  • Responsibly sourced (to meet ESG and Scope 3 emissions targets).

It’s a tall order. Most lithium and cobalt come from just a few places—like Chile, Australia, and the DRC—while refining often occurs in China. That level of concentration raises flags not just for security of supply, but also for ethical and environmental accountability.

Criticality Scores: A Smarter Way to Source

A ScienceDirect study proposes a smarter way to evaluate mineral sourcing: material criticality scores. These regionalized assessments balance social, environmental, and economic indicators to flag high-risk supply routes. Here’s what they found:

  • Sub-Saharan Africa: High in reserves but scores poorly on political stability and social indicators, especially for cobalt.
  • Europe & North America: Strong governance but low on reserves and mining capacity—raising concerns about future supply security.
  • Oceania: A rising star. With decent reserves and better regulatory infrastructure, it’s a promising alternative for diversified sourcing.

These insights help companies avoid oversimplifying the supply question. Just because a material is abundant doesn’t mean it’s a low-risk source. And just because a region is politically stable doesn’t mean it can meet demand.

What Does This Mean for Industry?

For companies in the EV and battery space, this shift in sourcing strategy is no longer optional:

  • Portfolio diversification is a must—single-country dependencies are out.
  • Traceability and ESG compliance will be under increasing scrutiny, especially in Europe.
  • Recycling and circularity strategies need to be scaled to supplement virgin material supply.

Bottom line: if batteries are the heart of the energy transition, then critical raw materials are the arteries. The flow needs to be sustainable, resilient, and transparent—or the system clogs.

1McKinsey & Company (2024) – Toward Security in Sustainable Battery Raw Material Supply
2ScienceDirect (2024) – Approaching Battery Raw Material Sourcing Through a Material Criticality Lens

CTPAT Trade Compliance: A Strategic Advantage in Global Trade

Enhancing Security and Compliance in the Evolving Trade Landscape

In today’s complex global trade environment, securing supply chains and ensuring regulatory compliance are more important than ever. The Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Trade Compliance Program is a key initiative, integrating Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) members into a broader compliance framework​. This program not only strengthens security measures but also provides tangible benefits for businesses navigating international trade.

What is the CTPAT Trade Compliance Program?

The CTPAT Trade Compliance Program is designed to enhance security while promoting a seamless trade environment. It brings together security and trade compliance under one umbrella, offering businesses a trusted trader status that can result in significant operational efficiencies.

Key components of the program include:

  • A phased integration of ISA members into CTPAT Trade Compliance​
  • A Trade Compliance Portal to streamline communication and document submission for members.
  • A National Account Manager (NAM) system, ensuring dedicated CBP support for compliance efforts.
  • Annual Notification Letters (ANL), requiring members to verify continued adherence to program standards​

By merging security and trade compliance requirements, CTPAT creates a more resilient and trusted supply chain model.

Why Join the CTPAT Trade Compliance Program?

For businesses involved in international trade, participating in the CTPAT program provides several strategic advantages:

1. Expedited Customs Clearance

One of the most significant benefits of CTPAT compliance is the ability to reduce customs processing times. Members can take advantage of:

  • A lower risk profile during CBP inspections.
  • Front-of-the-line privileges for cargo clearance.
  • Reduced examination rates, minimizing shipment delays

2. Improved Risk Management

CTPAT members must maintain a robust internal control system, conduct regular risk assessments, and ensure documented trade compliance procedures​. These measures help businesses mitigate security risks and regulatory penalties.

3. Enhanced Business Reputation

Global buyers and partners increasingly prioritize working with compliant and secure suppliers. CTPAT certification enhances a company’s marketability by demonstrating a commitment to security, compliance, and efficiency in trade practices.

4. Increased Supply Chain Visibility

The integration of the Trade Compliance Portal allows businesses to track, manage, and report trade activities with greater accuracy​. This transparency helps companies respond proactively to emerging trade risks and regulatory changes.

Key Compliance Requirements

To qualify for CTPAT Trade Compliance, businesses must meet several eligibility criteria, including:

  • Being a U.S. or Canadian importer with a history of strong compliance.
  • Implementing a system of internal controls for trade compliance.
  • Conducting annual risk assessments to evaluate supply chain vulnerabilities.
  • Demonstrating social compliance efforts, particularly regarding forced labor regulations​

Failure to meet these requirements can result in revocation of CTPAT membership, affecting access to trade benefits.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Trade Compliance

With growing regulatory scrutiny on forced labor, cybersecurity, and agricultural security, businesses must remain proactive in adapting to new compliance measures. Future updates to the CTPAT program are expected to strengthen enforcement and expand compliance requirements, making early adoption a strategic advantage.

By integrating CTPAT Trade Compliance principles, businesses can enhance security, improve efficiency, and maintain a competitive edge in global markets.

Final Thoughts

The CTPAT Trade Compliance Program is not just about meeting government regulations—it’s about building a stronger, more secure supply chain. Companies that invest in compliance today will be well-positioned to navigate future trade challenges with confidence.

Balance Between Convenience and Privacy

Balance Between Privacy and Convenience >> Metis Adivisory

There is a constant push and pull between convenience and privacy, especially in an era when 3.27 billion people are using the Internet. As smart phones become smarter, location-based services (LBS) are poised to make our lives a lot easier…but at what cost?

Before answering that beast of a question for the general population, there are subsets within our society that can greatly benefit from LBS. For example, an elderly person who looks up and can’t remember where he is, how he got there, and even who he is. Or a child who has inadvertently wandered away from the group on a class trip. Or a visually-impaired person navigating the local subway system. All of these groups of people can benefit from accurate LBS built in to their daily lives.

Low power, low cost technology is already being sewn into material for tracking uniforms and linens for hospitals and hotels. These types of advances in wearable technology will make finding a missing person or child that much easier.

Barrier Free Access, a wholly owned social enterprise of The Hong Kong Society for the Blind, is currently working with Hong Kong MTR to embed RFID chips into their marked pathways and walls. Corresponding chips in mobility canes will enable the visually impaired to more easily navigate public transportation without also having to hold a smart phone.

As companies find ways to enhance our lives through the Internet of Things, perhaps a gradual approach to adopting LBS will give society time to figure out the right balance between convenience and privacy.