Philippe Kehren, CEO of multinational Solvay: Reducing reliance on China’s rare earth metals
The Interview29 Kesä 2025

Philippe Kehren, CEO of multinational Solvay: Reducing reliance on China’s rare earth metals

Jonathan Josephs speaks to Philippe Kehren, CEO of chemical multinational company Solvay. His firm sits at the forefront of Europe’s efforts to diversify its supply of rare earth metals. These elements are essential to much of modern technology, from mobile phones to medical equipment, car batteries and renewable energy.

Currently their supply is heavily dependent on China, which mines around 70% of all rare earth metals, and refines around 90%. Solvay aims to play a significant role in reducing this dependence, by increasing European capacity to mine and refine these materials.

However, Mr Kehren says the European Union needs to play its part by introducing incentives for customers to buy from European suppliers rather than their cheaper Chinese competitors. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Jonathan Josephs Producer: Lucy Sheppard Editor: Nick Holland

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: Philippe Kehren. Credit: Dirk Waem/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images)

Jaksot(1903)

David Miliband - UK Foreign Secretary 2007-2010

David Miliband - UK Foreign Secretary 2007-2010

Politics can be a cruel business. No one knows that better than Britain's former foreign secretary David Miliband. He was hot favourite to lead the UK's Labour party after its dismal 2010 election def...

29 Helmi 201223min

Georges Chikoti - Angolan Foreign Minister

Georges Chikoti - Angolan Foreign Minister

The 10th anniversary of the end of Angola's devastating post-independence civil war is being marked in 2012. What a difference a decade makes. Angola is now one of Africa's powerhouse economies, enjoy...

27 Helmi 201223min

Yoweri Museveni - President of Uganda

Yoweri Museveni - President of Uganda

Stephen Sackur speaks to the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, currently on a visit to London. He took power in Kampala at the head of a rebel army in 1986 and has delivered stability and economic...

24 Helmi 201223min

Eugenia Tymoshenko - Daughter of Yulia Tymoshenko

Eugenia Tymoshenko - Daughter of Yulia Tymoshenko

This summer Ukraine is co-hosting the European football championships, but don't be deceived by the sporting camaraderie - Ukraine's political relationship with the EU is in crisis. The most pressing ...

22 Helmi 201223min

Fawzia Koofi

Fawzia Koofi

Some politicians claim that they would be willing to die for their beliefs. Fawzia Koofi is an Afghan politician who says that she expects to be killed."I am resigned to this fate", she says.She is cu...

20 Helmi 201223min

Sir Clive Woodward - Director of Sport, British Olympic Association

Sir Clive Woodward - Director of Sport, British Olympic Association

What's the key to world class sporting performance?Top coaches will tell you the biggest prizes don't necessarily go to the best natural athletes, but to those best prepared. Science, technology and p...

17 Helmi 201223min

Paul Volcker - Former US Federal Reserve chairman

Paul Volcker - Former US Federal Reserve chairman

Hardtalk is in the financial heart of New York City to meet one of the country’s most respected and enduring policy makers. Paul Volcker was chairman of the Federal Reserve in the Reagan years and in ...

15 Helmi 201223min

John McCain - US Senator

John McCain - US Senator

Can the Republican Party find a presidential candidate capable of turfing Barack Obama out of office? The battle to win the Republican nomination is proving to be protracted and brutal, and right now ...

13 Helmi 201223min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
viisupodi
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-podme-livebox
rss-pinnalla
rss-girls-finish-f1rst
aihe
the-ulkopolitist
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
rss-ulkopoditiikkaa
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-vain-talouselamaa