Strategic material is any sort of raw material that is important to an individual or organizations strategic plan and to supply chain management. Lack of supply of strategic materials may leave an organization or government vulnerable to disruption of the manufacturing of products which require those materials. It can also refer to a group or department that manages these materials.
Contents
In the US Armed Services
The US Defense Logistic Agency manages strategic materials for the US military.
In Business
Strategic materials encompass a subset of raw materials required to make a product. The strategic materials may be limited in number or subject to shortages. In this case, the strategic plan would call for an alternative supply chain or alternative materials in the event of a breakdown in the current supply chain.