About: critical raw materials
Explosive demand growth could lead to supply shortages in raw materials
While the EU is currently working to unbundle the economic dependency on Russia, the exponential increase of demand for raw materials is unveiling increasing supply risks due to the high dependency on China, industry and experts warn.
EU ramping up efforts for strategic autonomy in raw materials
While Europe's dependency on Russian energy makes headlines, the EU is also increasingly keen decrease its dependency on third states - most notably China - when it comes to essential raw materials.
Different mentality needed on raw material domestic mining, says EU body
The increasing need for critical raw materials essential to the energy transition and phasing out Russian fossil fuels requires more domestic EU production and a different mentality to mining on EU soil, the largest consortium in the sector warned last week.
No green and digital transition without raw materials, EU warns
Europe's transition to a sustainable and digital society is only possible with a strategic approach to the raw materials needed to manufacture chips, electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, the EU's internal market Commissioner Thierry Breton said on Monday (25 April).
Securing its supply of raw materials: the wind industry’s next challenge
Europe’s wind power industry faces a new challenge as while the EU wants to build up its renewable energy capacity and break free from Russian fossil fuels, problems in the industry's supply chain could hamper that.
The Green Brief: Hat-trick for the German Greens
After 16 years in opposition, the Germans Greens are back in government, taking the reins of three powerful ministries – an unprecedented feat, which also strengthens their hand in Brussels as they now have a direct link to the new government in Berlin.
‘Battery arms race’: how China has monopolised the electric vehicle industry
Think of an electric car and the first name that comes to mind will probably be Tesla. The California company makes the world’s bestselling electric car and was recently valued at $1tn. But behind this US success story is a tale of China’s manufacturing might. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian Environment, reports.
Polish copper giant signs deal with US firm for small nuclear reactors
Polish copper giant KGHM on Thursday (23 September) signed a memorandum of understanding with NuScale Power of the United States for the development of at least four small nuclear reactors to power its plants.
‘Game-changer’ for geothermal energy as UK plant unlocks vast supply of lithium
A geothermal power plant in the UK has discovered the highest concentration of lithium ever found in geothermal fluid, opening the door to a new business model for the renewable energy source.
EU, Ukraine sign ‘strategic partnership’ on raw materials
Kyiv will be invited on Tuesday (13 July) to join EU industrial alliances on batteries and raw materials, with a view to develop an entire value chain of the extraction, refining and recycling of minerals in Ukraine to supply the EU market for electric cars and digital equipment.
EU warned about environmental impact of deep seabed mining
Deep seabed mining for minerals used in car batteries and other green technologies should not be permitted in Europe until there is sufficient knowledge on the environmental impact it may cause, said the Portuguese minister of maritime affairs.
Electricity, heat and lithium: geothermal offers new hope for old mining county
A project in Cornwall, England, is building on the county’s history of tin mining, looking to restore jobs and boost the local economy by developing a new geothermal plant that will produce electricity, heat and, hopefully, lithium.
EU seeks competitive edge from green batteries
Electric car and industrial batteries sold in Europe will soon face legally binding environmental standards, the European Commission said on Thursday (10 December), as it seeks to give local producers an edge in a rapidly growing global market.
Energy: A critical raw material in its own right?
Access to affordable energy is a key factor underpinning the competitiveness of European industries. But as the green transition gains momentum, pressure is building to put a higher price signal on energy and CO2 emissions, leaving regulators in a quandary.
Raw materials: the missing link in Europe’s drive for batteries
While Europe is rapidly catching up with China on investments into batteries for electric cars, it is still lagging behind when it comes to securing supplies of the critical raw materials that are needed to produce them.
Europe faces up to China’s supremacy on raw materials
When the flu pandemic hit Europe and disrupted global supply chains this year, the EU came to a sobering realisation – it cannot continue relying solely on imports for raw materials like lithium and rare earths which are critical for the bloc’s digital and green industries.
New EU alliance aims for ‘strategic autonomy’ on key raw materials
The European Commission launched a new industry alliance on Tuesday (30 September) aimed at strengthening the EU’s “strategic autonomy” on raw materials like rare earths, which are considered key for the bloc’s green and digital transitions.
EU to launch raw materials industry alliance
The European Commission will announce the launch of a new industry alliance this week, with a view to building a complete EU supply chain for raw materials like lithium, which are seen as critical for the bloc’s digital and green transitions.
Businesses launch joint bid to improve conditions in cobalt supply chains
A coalition of businesses including Signify, Glencore and Fairphone have launched a joint initiative to improve the economic, working and social conditions of those working in the cobalt supply chain. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
Lithium tipped for EU list of critical raw materials
The soft, silvery-white alkali metal is expected to enter the EU list of critical raw materials later this year because of its strategic importance to the automotive industry, EURACTIV has learned.
Green Deal facing delays due to coronavirus, EU admits
The European Commission is having to re-order its priorities in the face of the coronavirus crisis, with “non-essential” initiatives like the biodiversity strategy and the farm-to-fork strategy likely to be delayed by several weeks, EURACTIV understands.
MEPs push for raw materials focus in EU’s new industrial strategy
Foreign competition and access to raw materials top the agenda for steelmakers and other basic industries as they await European Commission plans to accompany the EU Green Deal.