The Financial Times Commodities Global Summit was this year held in Lausanne, Switzerland, the first in-person FT summit in two years. Executives from the world’s largest mining companies and trading houses attended to discuss current market trends, the energy transition and the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Spotlight on: Battery metals

Battery metals, which will play an increasingly important role in the commodities space as nations and corporations look to increase their green credentials and pursue decarbonisation targets, were a key theme at the conference. Paul Smith, Trident’s Non-Executive Chairman, participated in the “Battery Metals Spotlight” panel alongside representatives from Glencore, Vale, Britishvolt and Trafigura.

The panel discussed Europe’s role in increasing its downstream processing capabilities to compete with China. Paul Smith expressed concerns over how key forward-facing battery metals are dominated by junior miners who have inferior experience, resources and infrastructure.

Also in focus were methods of sourcing EV battery materials, and how metals such as nickel and cobalt are at risk of being engineered out of the next generation of batteries in the latest wave of technological advancements. According to Orral Nadjari, founder and CEO of Britishvolt, there has already been 25-35% demand side shift towards LFP batteries.

Building momentum: Energy transition

A dominant topic throughout was the energy transition. The “Asia and the Energy Transition” panel looked at the impact of transition trends on coal and other fossil fuels in Asia.

Dr Sarah MacNaughton, CRU’s Principal Sustainability Analyst, commented that governments and policymakers need to take more active roles in leading society towards achieving energy efficiency with measures to ensure future market stability through net zero commitments, while simultaneously pulling millions out of poverty.

The event is available to watch on demand at this link: https://commodities.live.ft.com/page/2108329/on-demand