Critical raw materials: EU plan to reduce dependence on foreign supplies
The European Commission aims to have 10 per cent of extraction, 40 per cent of refining and 25 per cent of recycling taking place within its territory by 2030
From our correspondent Beda Romano
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BRUSSELS – The European Commission today, Friday 9 October, presented a new series of 46 projects in the highly sensitive sector of raw materials that are most important for the future of the economy. This time, 16 Member States are involved, including Italia. The European Union has set itself the objective of reducing its dependence on foreign sources. By 2030, it wants 10 per cent of extraction, 40 per cent of refining and 25 per cent of recycling of raw materials to take place in Europe.
“With this second wave of strategic projects, Europe is stepping up its efforts as never before to regain its sovereignty over critical raw materials,” explained the Commissioner for the Single Market Stéphane Séjourné. “Since the adoption of the RESourceEU plan, we have been using every means at our disposal to open mines, develop our processing and recycling capacities, and ensure the security of our supply chains.”
This initiative is more than justified in a world that has become increasingly hostile, and at a time when the high-tech economy is growing in importance. As well as revitalising extraction and refining in Europe, Brussels is also diversifying its supply sources by signing trade agreements with partner countries – from Australia to Brazil (Mercosur). Discussions are currently under way regarding a new agreement with Canada, which is also expected to include the raw materials sector among its key pillars.
The list of 46 projects recently published by the European Commission – out of 102 applications – is based on a regulation adopted in 2024 (the Critical Raw Materials Act). An initial list of strategic projects had been made public in March 2025, whilst in June of the same year Brussels had finalised a series of initiatives with third countries. As mentioned, Italia also features on the list just published, specifically in the recycling and refining stages. There are five Italian projects.
Commissioner Séjourné added at a press conference here in Brussels: ‘Through RESourceEU, European public actors have collectively mobilised over 2 billion euros. The Innovation Fund has already supported six projects totalling 680 million euros. Member States have allocated over one billion euros in state aid to six projects, whilst the European Investment Bank has allocated 660 million euros to eight projects.”
The EU regulation, which came into force in 2024, also provided for the establishment of a European Centre for Raw Materials. Once fully operational, this new body will be responsible for coordinating procurement and stockpiling, as well as providing political, financial and operational support to both companies and countries in their various projects, both in Europe and abroad.
