2026 Global Raw Materials Trade Trends & Supply Chain Insights

I. Global Raw Materials Trade Enters a New Cycle: Deglobalization and Green Transition in Parallel

In 2026, the global raw materials trade landscape is experiencing deep structural transformation.
Under the combined influence of energy transition, industrial upgrading, and geopolitical-economic competition,
the traditional logic of commodity trading is being redefined, while emerging categories—including new-energy materials, metal ores, chemical intermediates, and bio-based materials—are on the rise.

According to the latest forecast from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):

Global raw materials trade is projected to reach USD 6.5 trillion in 2026;
New-energy and strategic metals (e.g., lithium, nickel, copper, rare earths) are expected to grow at an annual rate exceeding 9.3%;
The Asia-Pacific region will remain the world’s largest market for both raw materials exports and imports, accounting for 46% of the global total.

Simultaneously, global supply chains are undergoing a dual shift toward decentralization and carbon-constrained operations.
International trading firms must achieve a dynamic balance among supply diversification, price volatility management, ESG compliance, and digitalized operations.

Hansol International believes:
The future of raw materials trade hinges not only on price competitiveness but also on comprehensive advantages in supply chain security, transparency, and sustainability.

II. Five Key Trends Shaping Global Raw Materials Trade in 2026

1. Strategic Resources and Critical Minerals Become Global Competition Focal Points

Amid surging demand from new-energy and high-tech manufacturing sectors, critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earths have become “core assets” in global supply chains.
Markets are exhibiting clear structural supply-demand imbalances:

Lithium and nickel prices remain elevated, compelling traders to strengthen upstream origin strategies;
Rare earths and cobalt face accelerated supply chain fragmentation due to geopolitical risks and environmental regulations;
Base industrial metals—including steel, copper, and aluminum—show steady export growth, driven by infrastructure investment in the energy sector.

Governments worldwide are redefining resource security—
Europe and North America are bolstering strategic reserve systems, while Asia and the Middle East accelerate resource partnerships and vertical integration.

For international trading companies, diversified sourcing and upstream resource control capabilities will be essential for survival.

2. Accelerated Decentralization and Regional Collaboration in Global Supply Chains

Amid rising global trade uncertainty, raw materials supply chains are shifting from “single-source dependency” to “multi-regional collaboration”:

Asia: Maintains its role as the global manufacturing and primary processing hub;
Middle East and Africa: Emerge as new engines for raw materials exports and infrastructure investment;
Europe and North America: Strengthen local procurement and green compliance standards.

This multipolar supply structure demands stronger cross-regional coordination capabilities and risk management systems from traders.

Hansol International has established distribution and procurement centers in China, the UAE, Poland, Vietnam, and other countries,
enabling an integrated model of multi-country sourcing + local warehousing + regional delivery
to ensure supply continuity and cost control.

3. Rapid Growth in Demand for Renewable and Green Materials

Driven by global net-zero commitments, green raw materials trade is becoming a key growth driver.
By 2026, renewable materials—including bio-based plastics, biodegradable polymers, and recycled metals—are projected to account for 22% of global material trade.

Exports of bio-based chemicals are expected to grow by 15%;
Market shares of recycled copper and aluminum are rising significantly;
The construction and packaging industries are accelerating the adoption of sustainable material alternatives.

Hansol International actively aligns with global ESG and green supply chain standards,
offering clients low-carbon certification, eco-friendly material sourcing, and carbon footprint management solutions
to support end-to-end green transformation—from raw materials to finished products.

4. Trade Compliance, Carbon Tariffs, and Traceability Systems Become Industry Norms

In 2026, regulatory oversight of international raw materials trade continues to intensify.

The European Union has formally implemented the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), requiring importers and exporters to disclose carbon emissions data;
North America, Japan, and South Korea are strengthening supply chain transparency and human rights compliance reviews;
Southeast Asia and the Middle East are adopting international sustainability certifications (e.g., ISO 14067, REACH, RoHS).

Traders unable to ensure full traceability and compliance audits will struggle to access high-standard markets.

Hansol International’s ESG Trade Compliance System
covers product traceability, certification support, carbon accounting, and compliance risk alerts,
ensuring clients achieve trade security and market access.

5. Digitalization and AI Reshape Raw Materials Supply Chain Management

In 2026, digital capability has become a “must-have” for international raw materials trade.
AI, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming supply chain operations:

AI-driven price and demand forecasting enhances procurement efficiency;
Blockchain ensures traceability and data security throughout the supply chain;
Smart warehousing and logistics systems improve delivery speed and transparency.

Hansol International’s AI-powered Trade & Supply Chain Platform (AITrade SCM)
has achieved end-to-end digital management across ordering, transportation, inventory, and compliance,
helping clients significantly reduce risk and transaction costs.

III. Regional Market Insights

Region	Trends	Key Traded Products
Asia	Strong manufacturing base; growing exports of new-energy raw materials	Lithium, nickel, aluminum, chemical intermediates
Europe	Strengthening carbon border controls and green standards	Renewable materials, recycled metals
North America	Boosting domestic raw material supply and supply chain reshoring	Rare earths, copper, industrial metals
Middle East & Africa	Investing in infrastructure and mineral resource development	Iron ore, copper, construction materials
Latin America	Expanding lithium and agricultural exports	Lithium salts, bauxite, bio-based materials

Hansol International’s global footprint spans these key regions,
providing manufacturers, distributors, and buyers with multi-regional supply chain integration and market intelligence support.

IV. Outlook: Building a Secure, Green, and Intelligent Raw Materials Trade Ecosystem

Over the next five years, global raw materials trade will evolve along three core trajectories:

Securitization — Multi-sourcing and risk management will become central to supply chain resilience;
Green Transition — Carbon reduction and ESG standards will dictate market access;
Intelligent Operations — AI and digital platforms will enable highly efficient supply chain collaboration.

Hansol International
will continue leveraging its core strengths—global procurement network, digital management systems, and compliance governance—
to deliver secure, transparent, and sustainable international trade solutions for raw materials stakeholders.

Hansol firmly believes that
building sustainable supply chains represents the core value proposition of future global raw materials trade.

Hansol International – Empowering the Global Raw Materials Trade with Integrity, Innovation, and Intelligence.