Launching Mapping of Strategic and Critical Value Chains

Press release | Date: 01/10/2025 | Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries is taking steps to strengthen the role of industry in preparedness and security - assigning a new task to Prosess21 and the Research Council of Norway.

In light of geopolitical developments and increased focus on critical value chains, the Ministry has tasked Prosess21 and the Research Council with conducting a comprehensive mapping of Norwegian industry's role in strategic and critical value chains. This work will be aligned with similar initiatives in the EU and other relevant countries.

This initiative is a concrete measure to ensure that industry supports the government's preparedness and security policy. It is one of the government's six main industrial policy priorities outlined in the white paper on industry presented in March, Meld. St. 16 (2024-2025).

"Norwegian industry plays an important role in several value chains that are critical to our own and our allies' security and preparedness. Through this mapping, we will gain a better overview of the connections Norwegian industry is part of, and how its capacities, expertise, and innovation power contribute to strategic international value chains," says Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie T. Myrseth.

Norway is, and will continue to be, an open and predictable partner and supplier of essential goods and services to our partners and allies. The background for this initiative is a growing recognition that today's global value chains may be vulnerable to disruptions - whether due to political conflicts, export restrictions, or concentration of production in certain countries.

"The pandemic and the current trade policy situation are two clear examples of the importance of ensuring security and predictability in critical and strategic value chains. Norwegian industrial companies possess deep knowledge of many of the value chains that are critical for Norway and our allies, and we are pleased that the Ministry is choosing to leverage this expertise through Prosess21's broad network," says Håvard Moe, Chair of the Prosess21 Steering Group and CTO at Elkem.

"The Research Council has already, in close collaboration with industry, authorities, and research environments, delivered a recommendation for a strategic R&D initiative for land-based minerals. This provides a solid foundation for the new assignment from the Ministry, which we now enter with the goal of broad anchoring and high quality," says Mari Sundli Tveit, CEO of the Research Council of Norway.

The mapping will provide a knowledge base for further policy development and strengthened collaboration between industry, authorities, and research environments.

Prosess21 and the Research Council will work closely with relevant stakeholders in industry and the public sector to ensure broad anchoring and high quality in the work.