Electric cars, smartphones and other electronic devices are fueling demand for a once-obscure element. Much of the supply comes from Democratic Republic of Congo, and companies worry about shortages.

The road to an imminent electric vehicle future has hit a speed bump — one made of cobalt. An essential ingredient in lithium-ion batteries that power millions of smartphones as well as plug-in ...

The demand for metals will increase significantly in the coming years, primarily because the climate-friendly transformation ...