New step for critical raw material supply from the EU: 46 new strategic projects

The European Union (EU) has identified 46 new strategic projects in 16 member countries to strengthen critical raw material supply chains and diversify its resources. The EU Commission published a statement regarding the new strategic projects identified within the scope of the Critical Raw Materials Law.

In the statement, it was reported that 46 projects were selected among the 102 submitted, and the projects were located in Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.

It was stated in the statement that 8 of the selected projects were in the field of raw material extraction, 11 in processing and 19 in recycling, and 3 projects combined extraction and processing, and 5 projects combined processing and recycling.

In the statement, it was emphasized that the projects cover 15 of the 17 strategic raw materials covered by the law and will strengthen Europe's battery, defence, aviation and space and permanent magnet value chains.

In this context, it was stated that 7 projects related to lithium, 12 projects related to nickel, 10 projects related to cobalt, 5 projects related to manganese and 4 projects related to graphite will support the battery sector, 2 projects related to magnesium and 3 projects related to tungsten will contribute to the defense, aviation and space sectors, and 4 projects related to rare earth elements will contribute to the production of permanent magnets.

Investments granted strategic project status will benefit from accelerated permit processes and supports that facilitate access to finance. In addition, support will be provided to make purchasing agreements for the raw materials to be produced in the projects.