Conflict Minerals

The modern use of tin is in the field of electrosoldering as well as in tinning of food-safe preserves as well as in medicine. Tin is used as an alloying component in a variety of ways, mainly with copper to form bronze or as a component of metal alloys with a low melting point.

Most of the tungsten produced worldwide is processed into tungsten carbide, which is used for the production of carbide tools. In addition, tungsten is mainly used as an alloying element in high-temperature applications. Due to its high corrosion resistance, tungsten can also be used as a material for equipment in chemical plants.

Tin and tungsten are therefore necessary minerals that are used in modern industry. However, to ensure that this does not come at the expense of people and the environment, thyssenkrupp Materials Trading has for many years worked to ensure the sustainability of its supply chains. The company has not been sourcing tin or tungsten from conflict regions for more than a decade. Human rights, fair working conditions, environmental protection and the fight against corruption are values that are not only important within the thyssenkrupp group, but also critical to the entire supply chain. thyssenkrupp is therefore committed to the United Nations Global Compact through the Supplier Code of Conduct.

At thyssenkrupp Materials Trading, procedures have been in place for years to review tin and tungsten supply chains and identify risks. The company’s supply chains are transparent and subject to regular audits. They also follow the regulations of the United States of America, usually shortened to the Dodd-Frank Act, although the company is not subject to SEC supervision and therefore has no legal obligation to comply with these requirements on conflict minerals.

The extraction of certain raw materials in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring states can contribute to significant human rights violations and the financing of violent conflicts in this region. thyssenkrupp Materials Trading therefore does not source raw materials that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups and is in close contact with its suppliers at all times to increase transparency regarding the products supplied by them. The aim is to further expand cooperation with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to ensure even better approaches and more practicable solutions.

thyssenkrupp Materials Trading sources its tin from long-standing partners in Bolivia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Tungsten is imported from China and Vietnam. From the outset, thyssenkrupp Materials Trading has pursued a holistic approach in its cooperation with suppliers: The mining and processing of tin and tungsten are not only in line with human rights, but also with high labor and ecological standards.

The year 2023 was characterized by the partly desolate situation in global logistics flows. There were practically no regular accesses that would have enabled plannable procurement. These exceptional circumstances continue to shape the procurement and supply performance of tin and tungsten demand in 2024.

In the third reporting year of the new conflict minerals regulation, thyssenkrupp Materials Trading imported a total of 225 tons of tin and 158 tons of tungsten (ferrotungsten). Approx. 33 percent of the tin came from Asia and approx. 67 percent from South America. Approx. 54 percent of the tungsten came from China and approx. 46 percent came from Vietnam.

The free sources of supply are based on the list of audited suppliers of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), formerly Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) according to the current status.

A risk management strategy has been established for the presentation of the supply flows with the respective suppliers, which is checked by means of neutral audits. The aim is to provide the management with permanent information.

For communication with customers, thyssenkrupp Materials Trading prepares a revision of the CMRT form annually after the conclusion of the framework agreements. The CMRT form was developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) to facilitate the collection of data on conflict minerals 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) and to create transparency for interested groups and customers.