Råmaterial

Råmaterial, or raw material, denotes the basic natural resources that are used as inputs in the production of goods and energy. They are typically extracted or harvested and then processed, refined, or transformed into intermediate or finished products. The term covers a broad range of substances found in nature, and its definition can vary by industry and country.

Common categories include energy materials such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal; metallic materials such as iron ore, copper ore, and bauxite; non-metallic minerals such as limestone, sand, and gypsum; and biomass such as timber and agricultural crops used for fuel, feedstock, or fibre. Some resources, like water and land, play foundational roles and can be treated as materials in certain industrial contexts.

Raw materials are traded on commodity markets and move through a supply chain that includes extraction, transport, processing, refining, and manufacturing. Prices are influenced by geology, extraction costs, policy, currency movements, and demand, making access to supply a strategic concern for economies and firms.

Environmental and social considerations shape sourcing, with emphasis on sustainability, lifecycle assessment, and recycling. Substitution, efficiency improvements, and circular economy approaches aim to reduce dependency on virgin materials and lower environmental impact.