About us

The Netherlands Materials Observatory (NMO) provides information and advice on raw materials that are essential to the Dutch economy. It integrates various fields of knowledge relevant to issues concerning critical raw materials and related supply chains. The NMO is housed at the Geological Survey of the Netherlands (GDN), part of TNO.

Read more about our organisational structure

Importance of the NMO

The NMO was set up to acquire knowledge and provide advice on critical raw materials, supply chains, and their significance for the Netherlands. The supply of critical raw materials is under pressure, among other reasons because we are dependent on a limited number of countries.

Based on the National Raw Materials Strategy (NGS), the NMO is important for two reasons:

  • Dependency: the Netherlands and the European Union (EU) are highly dependent on a small number of countries for key raw materials and essential components of many production chains. This dependence makes the EU vulnerable to disruptions.
  • Reaching climate goals: our climate goals are highly dependent on technology needed for the energy transition and the materials required for this technology. Many products that are vital for the energy transition contain critical raw materials. Therefore, insight into the availability of these materials is essential to achieve the transition to a sustainable economy.

Collaboration

The NMO collaborates with other knowledge institutions, universities, government authorities, and the business sector to map and monitor the supply chains of critical raw materials that are important to the Netherlands. It also works together with national observatories in other EU countries.

Objective

The NMO collects, manages, and provides data, information, and knowledge about critical raw materials and supply chains, including information on security of supply and open strategic autonomy. By doing so, it aims to enable policymakers and businesses to better respond to risks around the supply security of critical materials for the Netherlands and the EU. The NMO strives to contribute to a resilient and robust economy and society through these insights into material flows and supply chains.

The NMO approach

The NMO will achieve its objective by:

  • Monitoring supply chains and material flows, and maintaining an associated signalling network;
  • Identifying the role of critical raw materials in the Dutch economy;
  • Coordinating knowledge development on critical raw materials in their national and global geological, economic, industrial, and geopolitical contexts;
  • Sharing knowledge about potential risks regarding the supply security of critical materials with government bodies and players in the value chain;
  • Advising on strengthening the resilience and risk preparedness of the Dutch government and businesses.