01. The Challenge
A Growth Bet on a Fragile Chain
Our client, a materials company scaling into battery materials, faced a fast-growing market built on a concentrated, volatile supply chain. Leadership knew raw-material access, not technology or capital, could be the binding constraint, but had no clear map of where concentration risk actually sat or how to secure supply.
In battery materials, the binding constraint is often access, not ambition. You can't de-risk a chain you haven't mapped.
They needed research that mapped concentration and volatility across the battery-materials chain and identified where localisation, alternative chemistries or recycling would most reduce risk.
02. Our Approach
Mapping the Chain Where the Risk Lives
Zapulse ran a 7-week mixed-method programme combining supplier research with an expert network to map concentration risk across the chain.
Supplier Survey
Surveyed 260 suppliers and processors across four material classes on capacity, geography, pricing volatility and lead times.
Expert Network Interviews
Engaged 30 specialists on chokepoints, alternative chemistries, recycling maturity and geopolitical exposure.
Chokepoint Synthesis
Triangulated to rank chokepoints by concentration and volatility, and to identify the highest-impact de-risking moves.
03. Research Methodology
Research Methods Deployed
Quantitative Survey
A structured instrument fielded to 260 suppliers and processors covering capacity, geography, pricing and lead times across four material classes.
Expert Network Interviews
In-depth interviews with 30 materials and supply-chain specialists on chokepoints and alternatives.
Concentration & Volatility Modelling
Modelled concentration and price volatility per node to locate the true chokepoints in the chain.
Expert Validation
Findings pressure-tested with battery-materials and supply-chain experts before delivery.
04. Key Findings
Where the Chain Is Most Fragile
01
Risk Concentrated in Processing, Not Mining
The tightest chokepoints sat in processing and refining rather than raw extraction, reframing where the client needed to secure position.
"
Zapulse showed us the chokepoints weren't where we assumed. We refocused our supply strategy on processing, and on recycling as a real hedge.
VP, Supply Strategy
02
Volatility Was Chemistry-Specific
Price and supply volatility varied sharply by material class, arguing for a differentiated rather than uniform sourcing strategy.
03
Recycling Was a Real Hedge
For two material classes, recycling maturity was far enough advanced to serve as a genuine supply hedge, not just an ESG story.
05. The Results
From Exposure to a De-Risked Supply Strategy
A Chokepoint Risk Map
Delivered a ranked map of concentration and volatility across the chain, giving leadership a clear de-risking agenda.
Supply Strategy Refocused
Redirected securing efforts toward processing chokepoints and recycling hedges, rather than a uniform sourcing push.
A Repeatable Risk Framework
Delivered a concentration-and-volatility model the client can re-run as the chain and geopolitics evolve.
06. Client Perspective
In Their Own Words
"
Zapulse gave our supply strategy a map it never had. We now secure position where the chain is actually fragile, and treat recycling as the hedge it really is.
VP, Supply Strategy
Enterprise · Global
