EU picks 46 more strategic raw materials projects

• 46 new projects were selected in 16 member states.
• The Commission said the EU now has 93 strategic projects in the bloc, plus 13 in partner countries.
• The projects cover extraction, processing, recycling and integrated schemes across 15 strategic raw materials.

The European Commission on Friday selected 46 new strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act. The new round covers 16 member states and takes the EU portfolio to 93 strategic projects, alongside 13 in partner countries.

EU picks 46 more strategic raw materials projects

Project mix

The Commission said it received 171 applications. Of the 46 selected projects, 8 are for extraction, 11 for processing, 19 for recycling and 8 are integrated schemes.

They cover 15 of the 17 strategic raw materials identified by the EU. The projects include eight on lithium, 12 on nickel, 10 on cobalt, five on manganese and four on graphite.

There are also projects for magnesium and tungsten, and four new projects on rare earths for permanent magnets.

Funding and delivery

The Commission said more than €2 billion has been mobilised by public European actors since RESourceEU. The Innovation Fund has backed six projects with €680 million.

Member states have mobilised more than €1 billion in state aid for six projects. The European Investment Bank has mobilised €660 million for eight projects.

The Commission said about 20 projects have made significant progress toward purchase contracts.

Examples

The Commission cited three projects. In Finland, Keliber is operational and carries out lithium extraction and processing in Europe. The EIB provided €150 million for the project.

In France, Carester is building a plant at Lacq to recycle magnets and separate heavy rare earths. The company will produce dysprosium and terbium. The Commission said the project could eventually account for about 15% of global output of those oxides.

In Greece, Metlen is already producing gallium, which the Commission described as a first in Europe.

Next steps

The Commission said it will remove projects from the list if they no longer meet the criteria. It said announcements on that point will come before the end of the year.

It also said it will soon announce another set of strategic projects outside the EU. Next week, Séjourné is due in New Caledonia to sign a new memorandum on nickel cooperation.