European Commission selects 46 strategic projects for critical raw materials

The European Commission has selected 46 new strategic projects across 16 member states to strengthen the European Union’s supply chains and diversify sources of critical raw materials. These initiatives aim to fulfill the objectives of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which targets EU capacity to cover at least 10% of annual consumption through extraction, 40% through processing, and 25% through recycling by 2030.

The selected projects, which are expected to require approximately €21.1 billion in public and private investment, cover 15 of the 17 strategic raw materials identified by the CRMA. Key materials include lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, which are essential for the battery, defense, aerospace, and permanent magnet sectors. Notable projects include the Skouries mine in Greece, the Zinnwald lithium extraction project in Germany, and Arctial’s planned aluminum production in Finland.

By accelerating permitting processes and facilitating access to funding, the EU seeks to increase its competitiveness and reduce strategic dependence on single suppliers, particularly China. The projects span various stages of the value chain, including eight extraction projects, 11 processing projects, and 19 recycling projects, alongside eight integrated initiatives.