Securing a sustainable supply of raw materials is a key priority for the EU. Raw materials, such as metals and minerals or forest-based materials, have become increasingly important to the EU's economy, growth, and competitiveness. More than 30 million jobs in the EU and many key economic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy are dependent on a sustainable supply of raw materials. Raw materials are particularly crucial for the development of modern environmentally friendly technologies and a strong European industrial base. Without them, there wouldn’t be any smartphones, laptops, or cars.
The Raw Materials Initiative is the EU’s raw materials strategic policy framework. In addition, the European Commission launched three large initiatives:
Find out more about the Commission’s actions at EU and international level:
The Commission's objective is to promote, within the context of the EU’s wider industrial policy, the competitiveness of industries related to raw materials: