The Commission has, for the first time, adopted a list of 47 Strategic Projects to enhance domestic capacities for strategic raw materials. This will strengthen the European raw materials value chain and diversify supply sources. These projects mark a significant milestone in implementing the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which aims for European extraction, processing, and recycling of strategic raw materials to meet 10%, 40%, and 25% of the EUs demand by 2030, respectively. These projects significantly contribute to Europes green and digital transitions and support the defense and aerospace industries.
Overview of the selected projects
The 47 new Strategic Projects span 13 EU Member States: Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Estonia, Czechia, Greece, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Poland, and Romania. They cover multiple segments of the raw materials value chain, with 25 projects focusing on extraction, 24 on processing, 10 on recycling, and 2 on substitution of raw materials. These projects ensure the EU can fully meet its 2030 targets for lithium and cobalt extraction, processing, and recycling, while making significant progress for graphite, nickel, and manganese.
These projects were selected as they contribute to the EUs secure supply of strategic raw materials, adhere to environmental, social, and governance criteria, and are technically feasible. Additionally, the selected projects have demonstrated clear cross-border benefits for the EU.
Benefits for the selected projects
To become operational, a total investment of €22.5 billion is expected. These projects will benefit from coordinated support from the Commission, Member States, and financial institutions, especially regarding access to finance and support to connect with relevant off-takers. They will also benefit from streamlined permitting processes, ensuring predictability for project developers.
Background
The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) came into force on 23 May 2024. On the same day, the Commission published a call for submissions of proposals for recognition of projects as Strategic Projects, with a deadline on 22 August 2024. The Commission will soon announce a new call for Strategic Project applications, currently planned for the end of summer.
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