Transport & Environment said the European Union needs stronger investment, partnerships, and industrial policy to build resilient critical raw material supply chains that can support Europe’s clean technology sector. In a September 4, 2026 post by Emily Ritchey, the organization said the EU remains heavily dependent on imported raw materials and has not kept pace with global investment levels. It also said the recent energy crisis underscored the need to avoid creating new dependencies in critical raw materials.
The post argues that a future EU Critical Raw Materials, or CRM, center should do more than coordinate activity and manage stockpiles. Instead, it should operate as a financial arm for European mineral diplomacy, with the ability to steer national investments, coordinate development banks and export credit agencies, and aggregate offtake agreements. Transport & Environment said the center would need an independent mandate, pooled resources, and a proper budget to support projects across the value chain.
The recommended budget sources include the future European Competitiveness Fund and the Global Europe Instrument, along with support from the European Investment Bank. The organization said the center should be able to invest across mining, processing, refining, and recycling using tools such as equity, loans, and price support mechanisms, including Contracts for Difference and offtake support.
The post also calls for a whole-of-government approach that brings together EU member states, development finance institutions, export credit agencies, and other financial institutions to accelerate projects and provide more coherent support. It recommends that the CRM Investment Hub function as a “Minvest EU” platform to bring mining companies and offtakers together and help de-risk deals.
Additional recommendations include close coordination with G7 partners, support for cleaner mining and recycling technologies, and higher project standards, including IRMA self-assessment requirements. The post also says the center should improve traceability of black mass and address leakage of critical raw materials from the EU.
Source: Transport & Environment
