Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) are vital for the European economy, as they are economically and strategically important. However, their supply comes with a high risk. These materials are used in a wide range of industries, including environmental technologies, consumer electronics, health, steel-making, defense, space exploration, and aviation. CRMs are critical not only for current key industry sectors, but also for future applications and the sustainable functioning of the European economy.
CRMs are essential for nearly all our electronic, life-saving and green technologies
It’s important to note that CRMs are not classified as ‘critical’ simply because they are scarce. Rather, they are classified as ‘critical’ because they possess unique and reliable properties that make them essential for existing and future applications. There is also a lack of viable substitutes for these materials.
They are classified as ‘critical’ because:
- They have a significant economic importance for key sectors in the European economy, such as consumer electronics, environmental technologies, automotive, aerospace, defence, health and steel.
- They have a high-supply risk due to the very-high import dependence and high level of concentration of set critical raw materials in particular countries
- There is a lack of (viable) substitutes, due to the very unique and reliable properties of these materials for existing, as well as future applications
In addition to the supply risk associated with CRMs, their importance also lies in their role in the EU’s mega-sectors and a wide range of commercial and governmental applications, such as green technology, telecommunications, space exploration, aerial imaging, aviation, medical devices, micro-electronics, transportation, defense, and other high-technology products and services. This means that access and use of these Critical Raw Materials are crucial for the EU industry, environment, and modern way of life.
In this context, it’s worth mentioning that shredding.pl is currently working on shredders that can help recycle materials and obtain the necessary raw materials for these industries. By processing waste and turning it into usable raw materials, shredding.pl is contributing to the sustainable functioning of the European economy and reducing dependence on CRMs with high supply risks.
List of critical Raw Materials :
Antimony Baryte Bauxite Beryllium Bismuth Borates Cobalt Coking Coal Fluorspar Gallium Germanium Hafnium HREEs Indium Lithium LREEs Magnesium Natural Graphite Natural Rubber Niobium PGMs Phosphate Rock Phosphorus Scandium Silicon Metal Strontium Tantalum Titanium Tungsten Vanadium