Securing access to critical raw materials has become a strategic objective for the European Union as the bloc moves towards ever-more digitalisation and green, high-tech products. In this special report, EURACTIV looks at some of the essential building blocks of the 21st century economy.
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Europe waking up to raw materials ‘criticality’
Access to critical raw materials used in digital and clean technologies was labelled as "a strategic security question" in a European Green Deal unveiled today (11 December). A new industrial policy is expected to complete the picture next year.
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Coke and nickel keeping EU steel industry up at night
The European Commission is considering removing coking coal from a list of critical raw materials. The steel industry, already facing difficulty importing the raw materials it needs, says this could spell disaster.
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Europe looks home for new mining opportunities
As EU policymakers worry about global tensions threatening raw material imports, one option could be getting more from their own backyard.