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(1887)

2025 on The Interview

2025 on The Interview

2025 on The Interview A special episode of The Interview, featuring three of the most compelling conversations from 2025.The Archbishop of Canterbury is the symbolic leader of the Anglican Communion...

29 Joulu 202523min

2025 on The Interview

2025 on The Interview

2025 on The Interview A special episode of The Interview, featuring three of the most compelling conversations from 2025. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s controversial challenge to climate orth...

26 Joulu 202522min

2025 on The Interview

2025 on The Interview

2025 on The Interview A special episode from The Interview, featuring three of the most compelling conversations from 2025. US President Donald Trump spoke to the BBC’s Chief North America corresp...

24 Joulu 202523min

Arden Cho, actor: I was born in America, but wasn’t seen as American

Arden Cho, actor: I was born in America, but wasn’t seen as American

‘Being born in America, feeling American, but having people treat me like I'm not.’Chi Chi Izundu speaks to Korean American actor Arden Cho, star of the hit Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters, about her ...

22 Joulu 202522min

Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s cyber ambassador: Bringing digital diplomacy to the world

Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s cyber ambassador: Bringing digital diplomacy to the world

Audrey Tang speaks to BBC Technology editor, Zoe Kleinman about technology, democracy and community. Named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in AI”, Audrey Tang was instrumental in shaping Ta...

19 Joulu 202524min

Jordan Bardella, National Rally leader: France must control immigration

Jordan Bardella, National Rally leader: France must control immigration

‘I do not see France as a country that must be closed. But I believe we must control immigration.’Nick Robinson speaks to National Rally leader Jordan Bardella about his vision for France. The 30-year...

17 Joulu 202522min

Jacinda Ardern, former New Zealand PM: World leaders need empathy

Jacinda Ardern, former New Zealand PM: World leaders need empathy

BBC presenter Kylie Pentelow speaks to Dame Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s former Prime Minister about the importance of empathetic leadership in the time of populism and strongman politics. In 2017 ...

15 Joulu 202522min

María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader: Our fight for freedom is a fight for peace

María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader: Our fight for freedom is a fight for peace

Lucy Hockings speaks to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado about the fight for democracy in the South American country. She’s been in hiding since last year’s presidential election in...

11 Joulu 202522min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-podme-livebox
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
rss-girls-finish-f1rst
rikosmyytit
the-ulkopolitist
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-polikulaari-pitka-kiekko-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-vain-talouselamaa
rss-tekkipodi