Background and Objectives of the Trip
From 25 to 30 October 2026, Jan Menssing, Managing Partner of MCC – Menssing Chemiehandel & Consultants GmbH, represented MCC on a business delegation to Australia focused on critical raw materials. The visit was organised by the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Australia) as part of the Market Entry Programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The primary focus was on critical raw materials (CRMs), particularly rare earth elements, and the opportunities to establish new, reliable, long-term supply chains between Australia and Europe. For MCC, the trip was particularly relevant, as diversifying our international sourcing network has been a key part of our business strategy for many years. Australia offers significant potential to further strengthen this approach and establish relationships with new raw material producers.
Sydney – IMARC and International Raw Materials Policy
In Sydney, the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) was the central focus of the programme. The event provided numerous opportunities to engage with representatives from government, industry, trade associations, chambers of commerce and the financial sector on the future of global raw material supply. Particularly insightful were the discussions surrounding the heavy dependence on China, the financing of new mining projects, and the development of additional extraction and processing capacities outside established supply chains. One of the highlights was the German Afternoon, where representatives from Germany and Australia discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with closer cooperation across the entire value chain.
Personal Meetings and New Business Contacts
One of the most valuable aspects of the trip was the series of individual B2B meetings with Australian mining companies and project developers, carefully arranged by the organisers. These discussions covered not only existing production capacities but, more importantly, new mining projects at various stages of development. Of particular interest to MCC were small and medium-sized companies planning to produce rare earth elements and other critical raw materials in the future and seeking potential partners to market their products in Europe. The meetings were exceptionally well prepared and allowed sufficient time for detailed discussions on products, project development, technical requirements and potential opportunities for future cooperation.
Exchange Within the German Delegation
Equally valuable was the exchange of ideas and perspectives with fellow members of the German business delegation. The group represented a broad range of industries, including companies such as BMW, Siemens Energy and Bayer, as well as representatives from the wind energy sector. It was particularly insightful to gain a better understanding of the different perspectives of industries that rely on critical raw materials. Although their specific applications and requirements vary considerably, the discussions repeatedly highlighted just how essential a secure and reliable supply of these materials is to the long-term competitiveness of German industry. The exchanges with representatives from KfW, export credit guarantee providers and other financing and funding institutions were also highly informative. After all, establishing new supply chains is not simply a question of access to raw material deposits, but equally one of financing and ensuring the commercial viability of new projects.
Perth – Insights into Industrial Processing
The second part of the trip took us to Perth in Western Australia, where the programme focused on company visits and gaining first-hand insights into the industrial processing of mineral raw materials. A particularly interesting aspect was understanding how extracted raw materials and concentrates are transformed into products suitable for industrial applications, along with the technical, commercial and financial challenges involved in developing the necessary processing facilities. In the case of rare earth elements, mining the raw materials is only one part of the challenge. Equally important are the subsequent stages of separation, refining and the production of commercially viable oxides. These discussions and insights reinforced the importance of considering the entire value chain if long-term diversification of raw material supply is to be both successful and sustainable.
Personal Reflections and Conclusions
The trip was exceptionally intensive, with a tightly scheduled programme and numerous meetings. At the same time, it was extremely well organised and provided many opportunities for open and constructive dialogue. What I will particularly remember are the personal interactions, the openness of our Australian counterparts and the many engaging discussions within our German delegation. For MCC, the trip provided an excellent opportunity to establish numerous new contacts with companies, institutions and potential business partners. The next step will be to build on these relationships and explore concrete opportunities for future cooperation.
The key takeaway: Security of supply cannot be achieved through short-term responses to market shortages. It requires early engagement, long-term partnerships and a willingness to explore new approaches. Australia has the potential to play an important role in strengthening and diversifying Europe's industrial raw material supply chains. Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and all those involved in organising the delegation for their outstanding preparation and execution of this highly valuable visit.