Batteries are a key enabling technology for low emission mobility and for energy storage. Recent  forecasts  indicate  that the  demand  for  batteries  both in  the  EU  and  globally will grow exponentially in the next years. The Strategic Action Plan on Batteries is part of the 2018 Third Mobility package, which was adopted by the College on 17 May. 

In addition, the Commission services developed the Report on Raw Materials for Battery Applications which provides a snapshot on where EU stands on battery raw materials. It highlights the challenges and bottlenecks of securing the  supply  of  battery  raw  materials  but  more  important  it  identifies  large  gaps in  our knowledge at EU level. The report focuses on four essential raw materials for batteries production namely: cobalt, lithium, graphite, and nickel. It also identifies the need to improve our knowledge on battery raw materials. Data is not always easy to gather and sometimes reported under different standards, which makes their comparison and integration difficult.

Building on the success of the EU’s past flagship research and innovation programmes, the Commission proposes to increase investment in research and innovation by allocating €114.8 billion from the future long-term EU budget (Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027).

“Horizon Europe” proposal (Regulation COM(2018) 435) was presented on 7 June by Vice-President Jyrki Katainen and Commissioner Carlos Moedas. Horizon Europe, with a budget of €97.6 billion over 2021-2027, is the biggest ever research and innovation funding programme. It is designed around three pillars: the Open Science pillar, the Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness pillar and the Open Innovation pillar. The proposal will be discussed with the Member States in the Council and the European Parliament until its adoption expected in 2020.

Sustainable supply of raw materials is covered in the area of intervention called “Circular Industries” under the Cluster “Digital and Industry” of Pillar II “Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness”, as shown in the annexes of Specific Programme (Decision COM(2018)436). Primary and secondary raw materials are the key enablers for many solutions for the transition to a low carbon and circular economy. This is why the Commission advocates for an integrated value chain approach covering under the same cluster ”Digital and Industry” very closely related aspects such as the sustainable supply and substitution of raw materials, industrial symbiosis, improved resource and energy-efficiency in industry, or the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries (the latter under the Area called “Low carbon and clean Industries”).

More information about Horizon Europe on the website of European Commission.

Additionally, the “InvestEU” Programme (presented on 6 June by Vice-President Jyrki Katainen) will bring together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments currently available and expand the successful model of the Investment Plan for Europe, the Juncker Plan. With InvestEU, the Commission will further boost investment, innovation and job creation, triggering an estimated €650 billion in additional investment. As shown in the annex II of the regulation COM(2018) 439 final, you will find among the eligible areas for financing and investment operations:

• projects and enterprises that implement circular economy by integrating resource efficiency aspects in the production and product life-cycle, including the sustainable supply of primary and secondary raw materials;
• decarbonisation of and substantial reduction of emissions of energy-intensive industries, including large-scale demonstration of innovative low-emission technologies and their deployment.

More information about InvestEU on the website of European Commission.

On 22 May, EU Member States approved a set of ambitious measures to make EU waste legislation fit for the future, as part of the EU's wider circular economy policy.

More information.

As previously announced, the third edition of the Raw Materials Week is taking place on 12-16 November 2018. It builds up on a series of events organised by the European Commission addressing the latest news on raw materials in the EU. It will be a unique opportunity for the raw materials community to discuss and exchange on all relevant issues: policy, technology, international cooperation, framework conditions, knowledge base etc.

The preliminary programme of the Raw Materials Week is now available on our dedicated webpage.

The Euro Mine Expo 2018 will take place at Skellefteå from 12th to 14th of June. Experts from more than 40 nations are gathered to share information, news and ideas. Besides the trade fair, there are also a number of knowledge sharing sessions.

More information.

The Commission held a stakeholder workshop on 13 April 2018.
It showcased existing practices in the resource-efficient and sustainable use of woody biomass. It also identified new opportunities, chances for cooperation and challenges along the value chain.

Materials and products made from woody biomass play an essential role in our daily lives. In many EU countries, their production is a cornerstone of the economy.

In the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy, woody biomass may also be key, if used resource-efficiently and sustainably: by increased valorisation and technological efficiency as well as better reuse and recycling.

The Commission committed to promoting the efficient use of bio-based resources in the EU action plan for the circular economy. This includes non-binding guidance on the cascading use of biomass by sharing good practices.

More information.

As a main component of the Mineral Development Network Platform (MDNP) project, the EU-Latin America Mining & Exploration Convention and Trade Show (METS 2018) provided an opportunity for EU and Latin American stakeholders to meet in person and, thus, helped facilitate partnership and cooperation. At the same time, the event helped to promote the MDNP and encourage member registration on the platform that was developed to support EU-Latin American cooperation in the extractive sector.

The event took place 10-12 April 2018 in Madrid and can be considered as a very successful event with great potential for the future.

The METS 2018 trade show ran parallel to the conference events and provided opportunities to discover investment and trade opportunities by showcasing geological potential, exploration and development projects, research, technology and service providers.

More information.

On 16 May, two workshops on recovery of critical raw materials from mining waste and landfills were held in the context of the implementation of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. Over 30 experts from the Operational Group of the EIP on Raw Materials and relevant EU funded projects attended and discussed the knowledge base, framework conditions and recovery techniques. A summary report will be uploaded on the site of the operational group in due course.