Commissioner Jessika Roswall outlined a strategic vision during her keynote at the 7th EIT Raw Materials Summit, emphasizing the urgency of shifting the European Union’s approach to raw materials amid global competition and environmental concerns.
The Global Context and Challenge
Roswall framed the competition for critical raw materials—such as rare earth metals and lithium—as a pivotal geopolitical and economic challenge set to intensify by 2050. She highlighted the projected increases in demand (a 7-fold rise for rare earth metals and 20-fold for lithium) underpinning the EU’s digitalization and green transitions. The commissioner underscored that extraction and processing account for nearly 20% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, while lengthy supply chains exacerbate environmental footprints and supply vulnerabilities.
Concrete Policy Proposals
Roswall announced the forthcoming Circular Economy Act expected by the end of 2026, aiming to establish a unified European market for waste, secondary, and reusable materials. A tangible target was set: 25% of strategic raw materials consumed in the EU should derive from recycling by 2030. The plan includes reforms to End of Waste criteria and digitalization of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes intended to simplify circular business practices and reduce the cost disadvantage of EU-produced secondary materials compared to imports.
Balancing Innovation and Industrial Competitiveness
The commissioner framed circularity as a dual path for enhancing EU industry competitiveness and achieving decarbonization goals, linking it to the Clean Industrial Deal. Measures such as the Batteries Regulation and the Critical Raw Materials Act have already laid groundwork to boost recycling.
She also proposed accelerating the bioeconomy to diversify raw material sources sustainably.
Stakeholders Impacted
European producers in raw materials and recycling sectors stand to face new regulatory frameworks promoting circularity, potentially increasing operational demands but also offering market expansion opportunities. EU industries may benefit from enhanced material security and lower transport emissions but will need to adapt to new supply dynamics. EU consumers could see environmental benefits from circular practices, though costs and market adjustments remain uncertain. National authorities will have enforcement and coordination responsibilities, especially in harmonizing waste market standards.
In summary, Roswall’s speech signals a policy shift towards stronger regulation and integration within a circular economy paradigm, representing an increased role for EU-level coordination and market structuring to enhance sustainability and economic resilience in raw materials supply.