Anchoring Demand: EU-Canada Industrial Cooperation for Clean Technology Supply Chains

October, 2026
By The Transition Accelerator, Clean Technology Partnerships Initiative

With Canada and Europe facing major challenges to their industrial base, the deepening economic relationship between the two in the “Alliance for the Future” presents an opportunity for shared prosperity and strategic resilience. Making the most of the opportunity will require innovative thinking to harness the power of partnerships.

In Anchoring Demand, the Transition Accelerator and the Clean Technology Partnerships Initiative look at three industries where economic importance and energy security overlap — identifying rare earths, battery materials, and grid equipment as top priorities for collaboration — and outlines the kinds of collaborative tools that can grow those sectors in Canada and the EU. The most powerful tool is government-guaranteed demand, with offtake agreements, pooled markets, and aligned product standards as key measures.

Neither trade measures nor unilateral action alone will be enough to guarantee the Alliance’s aims of economic growth and improved resilience. But a greater focus on joint execution guided by smart policy and strategic government support can help the two partners secure their place in global clean technology supply chains.

About the Author

The Transition Accelerator

The energy transition is disrupting global power. The Transition Accelerator is here to help Canada win — economically and geopolitically.

We are an independent energy and industrial policy organization working with 300+ partners across government, industry, finance and Indigenous Nations. We pair rigorous analysis with trusted relationships to help build the systems, supply chains and competitive industries that will define Canada’s place in the future economy.

More

Clean Technology Partnerships Initiative

CTPI is an independent, philanthropically funded initiative. As countries look to cooperate together in new ways and prioritise economic and energy resilience, we believe they must partner in a targeted way across clean technology supply chains to deliver their objectives.

Our multidisciplinary team brings expertise in public policy, diplomacy, finance, supply chain analysis and industry. We understand the competing priorities and cross-ministerial complexity policymakers face, and seek to help them turn sound analysis into tangible outcomes.

Learn more at cleantechpartnerships.com

More