In summer 2023, the EU entered a strategic raw materials partnership with Chile. While the EU is seeking to gain better access to critical raw materials such as lithium and copper, Chile is aiming to diversify its raw materials sector and boost local value creation. Despite progress having been...

When it comes to being supplied with raw materials, Europe faces a number of chal­lenges. These include the diversification of European supply chains, the implementation of effective sustainability standards, and the reduction of strategic dependencies on China. What will European-Chinese raw...

Unternehmen, die Tantal, Wolfram, Zinn und Gold in die Europäische Union (EU) importieren und einen bestimmten Schwellenwert überschreiten, müssen seit 2021 Sorgfaltspflichten umsetzen um zu verhindern, durch ihre Beschaffungspraktiken zu Konflikten und Menschenrechtsverletzungen beizutragen....

Unternehmen, die Tantal, Wolfram, Zinn und Gold in die Europäische Union (EU) importieren und einen bestimmten Schwellenwert überschreiten, müssen seit 2021 Sorgfaltspflichten umsetzen um zu verhindern, durch ihre Beschaffungspraktiken zu Konflikten und Menschenrechtsverletzungen beizutragen....

We map the mining sector in Europe, with a focus on Energy Transition Metals (ETMs), and present an in-depth analysis of the environmental impact and associated monetary costs, at the regional level, of extraction activities. We aim to offer a spatially disaggregated view of the current mining...

Diversifying the supply of mineral resources is a strategic necessity - one in which resource-rich countries of the Global South play a crucial role. Zambia, which is a major global copper exporter and possesses other critical raw materials, is seeking long-term alliances that will mobilise...

Multiple geopolitical disruptions have highlighted the need for firms to diversify their supply chains. For Germany and the EU, this might imply an increased reliance on Africa, the neighboring continent, for example when it comes to sourcing critical raw materials for the energy transition...

In summer 2023, the EU entered a strategic raw materials partnership with Chile. While the EU is seeking to gain better access to critical raw materials such as lithium and copper, Chile is aiming to diversify its raw materials sector and boost local value creation. Despite progress having been...

In July 2024, the European Union (EU) and the Serbian government signed a strategic raw materials partnership. For the EU, this cooperation represents an important step towards diversifying its supply chains and strengthening economic partnerships in its neighbourhood. Serbian President...

Global demand for specific mineral raw materials is increasing, driven largely by the energy and digital transition. Although the EU is making efforts to boost domestic supply, it will remain highly dependent on imports of those minerals from third countries to achieve strategic autonomy in...

The report analyzes the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the cultivation of agricultural raw materials in the NUTS2 regions of Germany in accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). The aim is to update the typical emission values for the production of biofuels, biogas and...

Access to critical raw materials (CRMs) is increasingly being shaped by geopolitical dynamics, fuelling a global competition for supply security. This paper applies the gravity model of trade to examine how OECD countries leverage Aid for Trade (AfT), Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), and...

The Entrepreneurship in the Raw Materials Sector proceeding is a collection of papers focusing on the macroeconomic aspects of green growth, the business opportunities in the raw materials sector, and the challenges in entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship training. These papers were presented...

This paper examines the challenges in implementing the EU's raw materials policy, including conflicts between minerals extraction, Green Deal objectives, nature restoration targets and public opposition to mining projects. It explores innovative approaches such as invisible mining, enabled by...

The EU is ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials that underpin European industry's transition to a low-carbon, digital future. Europe relies on the global importation of some of the building blocks that support modern life. These critical raw materials (CRMs), which...

In March 2024, the Critical Raw Materials Act was officially approved, marking a significant step toward enhancing Europe's strategic autonomy in critical raw materials (CRMs). The Act outlines specific measures to strengthen domestic production, improve recycling capabilities, and diversify...

The EU is ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials that underpin European industry's transition to a low-carbon, digital future. Europe relies on the global importation of some of the building blocks that support modern life. These critical raw materials (CRMs), which...

In March 2024, the Critical Raw Materials Act was officially approved, marking a significant step toward enhancing Europe's strategic autonomy in critical raw materials (CRMs). The Act outlines specific measures to strengthen domestic production, improve recycling capabilities, and diversify...

Horizon Europe is the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation. Under Horizon Europe, the EU supports the sustainable supply of raw materials and provides funding opportunities in the entire value chain.

This paper examines the challenges in implementing the EU's raw materials policy, including conflicts between minerals extraction, Green Deal objectives, nature restoration targets and public opposition to mining projects. It explores innovative approaches such as invisible mining, enabled by...

Strategic autonomy can be bolstered by applying circularity strategies such as reducing primary inputs and recycling critical raw materials in key technologies. However, effective actions require high definition at the material or technology level, leading to a non-systematic and often tedious...

Horizon Europe is the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation. Under Horizon Europe, the EU supports the sustainable supply of raw materials and provides funding opportunities in the entire value chain.

The European Union (EU) is aiming to strengthen its cooperation with like-minded countries to secure its supply of so-called critical raw materials. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen considers Canada a "perfect match" - a resource-rich and reliable partner that shares the EU’s...

The recent political consensus on the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) marks a significant step towards a common raw materials policy within the European Union (EU). Against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions, the EU aims to bolster its "strategic autonomy" within its raw...

Bis zum Jahr 2030 will die EU mindestens 10% der strategischen Rohstoffe, die sie verbraucht, im eigenen Land gewinnen bzw. verarbeiten (40%) und recyceln (25%). Nicht mehr als 65% dieser wichtigen, aber seltenen Ressourcen sollen aus einem einzigen Drittland stammen. Die Benchmarks des Critical...

When it comes to being supplied with raw materials, Europe faces a number of challenges. These include the diversification of European supply chains, the implementation of effective sustainability standards, and the reduction of strategic dependencies on China. What will European-Chinese raw...

We assess the degree of connectedness among 16 metals that are critical for the production of clean energy technologies. These commodities are the constituents of the Energy Transition Metals (ETMs) price index maintained by the International Monetary Fund and comprise base, precious, and minor...

German and European businesses are highly dependent on metals. Demand for these raw materials is expected to grow even further as they will be needed for the green energy and electric mobility transition, digitalisation and other emerging technologies. Geopolitical developments influence...