The European Commission has granted InnoEnergy and EIT RawMaterials a critical minerals project aimed at enhancing Europe’s supply chains for essential raw materials. This initiative seeks to decrease dependencies and strengthen industrial resilience within the region. The newly established Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Facility will facilitate global partnerships between European industries and projects in partner countries to secure vital materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese.
The CRM Facility is integral to achieving the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act objectives, which focus on reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy amid increasing supply chain challenges. The facility will collaborate with nations across Africa, Latin America, Asia, Southeastern Europe, and Greenland to develop mid-to-downstream mineral value chains. InnoEnergy and EIT RawMaterials will identify promising projects in these partner countries and foster mutually beneficial partnerships with European businesses. Additionally, the facility will support training programs designed to equip professionals with the necessary expertise in sustainable raw material management.
InnoEnergy will prioritize securing minerals specifically for the battery sector. Baptiste Buet, Director of the EU Business Unit at InnoEnergy, emphasized the importance of sustainable raw materials for Europe’s battery industry. “While domestic mining and recycling efforts remain vital, securing global resources is equally critical,” Buet stated. InnoEnergy plans to leverage its experience with the European Battery Alliance to build industry collaborations and drive investments aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience.
EIT RawMaterials, sees it as a crucial step in Europe’s broader strategy for industrial competitiveness and security. “Securing a stable supply of critical raw materials is essential for European security and industrial strength,” said Bernd Schäfer, CEO of EIT RawMaterials. “Resilient supply chains can only be built through strong global partnerships.”
The program will involve partner countries including Argentina, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chile, Greenland, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, Serbia, South Africa, Tanzania, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Zambia. By engaging with these nations, the CRM Facility aims to secure a reliable supply of critical raw materials essential for various industries, particularly in the electric vehicle and battery manufacturing sectors.
Source: KIC InnoEnergy
