The FutuRaM project (Future Availability of Raw Materials) aims to develop an online knowledge base on the availability and recoverability of secondary raw materials and critical raw materials.
Exponential demand for critical materials, driven by the energy transition, may trigger supply chain problems. Circular economy business models could help decouple the renewable energy sector from material consumption. However, with major economic, regulatory and financial barriers, the sector's transition sector towards a circular economy still has a long way to go.
This report, commissioned by the Green Purposes Company and prepared by the Gate C consulting firm, proposes an action plan for the renewable energy sector which will enable it to be fully aligned with the principles of a circular economy and to reap its benefits. It is critical that in helping to address climate change, the renewable energy sector does not inadvertently drive environmental problems elsewhere.
Rare earth elements (REEs) are among the key critical raw materials required for the green and digital transitions. Unfortunately, the EU has to import what it needs, mostly from China. Permanent magnets – one of the largest applications of REEs – are important components for a number of technologies, including wind turbines, electric vehicles, e-bikes, white goods and consumer electronics.
Although recycling processes have potential for meeting some of the future demand for permanent magnets, they have not yet developed at scale in the EU due to several existing barriers. This event on 15 June will bring together experts along the permanent magnets recycling chain and policy makers to discuss how to develop a recycling chain for rare earth permanent magnets in the EU.
This webinar on 11 April follows the European Commission’s proposal for the European Critical Raw Materials Regulation on 16 March 2023. It aims to explore some of the opportunities and challenges linked to the EU’s new strategy for securing the supply of CRMs, both inside and outside the EU.
The regulation will have implications for the EU’s own internal environmental and circular economy-related objectives, as well as external impacts through shifts in demand for CRMs and trade flows. This event will identify focus areas for policymakers and the international community to ensure that the objectives of the regulation can be achieved by accelerating the shift to a global circular economy without hindering global sustainable development goals.
Since 2013, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation has provided a regulatory framework for the recycling of EU-flagged ships. It acts as a benchmark for ship recycling legislation around the world.
The European Commission has launched an online public consultation on the evaluation of the Ship Recycling Regulation that will run until 7 June 2023.
The World Circular Economy Forum 2023 will be held in Helsinki from 30 May to 2 June 2023. This global collaboration forum is co-organised by Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and Nordic Innovation, with international partners. It will attract more than 2 000 leading circular economy players in the world to Finland to find circular solutions that can help our economies fit within the boundaries of nature. Part of the programme will also be accessible online.
This report is the final outcome of the collaboration that took place in 2021 and 2022 between the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Environment Agency (EEA) and its European Topic Centre (ETC) on circular economy.
This collaboration entails the area of efficient and circular management of material resources and, in particular, of raw materials. Ultimately, this report and underlying data/knowledge findings are meant to support the further development of the European Commission’s Raw Materials Information System (RMIS).
The European Commission has launched a call for evidence and a public consultation with a view to the European Critical Raw Materials Act, announced by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen during her 2022 State of the Union address. Interested parties can provide their input until 25 November 2022.
