European auto suppliers close factories due to China's restrictions on rare earth metal exports
A growing shortage of rare earth elements has forced several European auto parts factories to close, the European Automotive Suppliers Association (CLEPA) said, blaming recent Chinese export restrictions.
Since early April, hundreds of European auto suppliers have applied for export licenses to access rare earth materials. These are needed to produce electric motors and their components. But the European Association said only a quarter of these applications have been approved, while the rest have been rejected for what the group described as "very procedural reasons."
"Procedures appear to vary from province to province, and in some cases, sensitive intellectual property information has been requested," the statement said. The group warned that unless the process is standardized and expedited, more factories will cease operations within the next three to four weeks as inventories deplete.
Beijing's decision in April to suspend exports of many rare earth metals and related magnets has rattled global supply chains. The restrictions have affected not only the automotive sector but also aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers and military contractors across Europe, the United States and Asia.
Industry bodies in Germany, the US and India have called on their governments to cooperate with China and seek urgent solutions to avoid long-term supply disruptions.
The warning highlights Europe's dependence on Chinese rare metals and the difficulties faced by global industries that rely on critical raw materials from a single source.
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