With the Critical Raw Materials Act, Europe is aiming to become more self-sufficient in key raw materials for its economy and industry. This can be achieved by taking a much more circular approach to raw materials, but also by reusing and recycling products a lot more. VITO has had a strong focus on both strategies for years.
The CRM Act distinguishes between strategic and critical raw materials. A critical raw material is strategically and economically important. If we do not have this material at our disposal, our economy runs the risk of stagnation or even grinding to a halt. A strategic raw material is a material that helps make Europe more independent for the production of strategic products, primarily in the area of green energy, digital technology and defence.
Three spearheads
These raw materials - and strategic raw materials in particular - are crucial if we want to achieve the climate targets. Europe wants the guarantee that it has all the raw materials it needs, at its disposal, to meet these targets. Especially since it is aware of the fact that there is currently no glut of strategic raw materials on the market, rather a shortage. Europe is ambitious. Among other things, the CRM Act proposes three spearheads to strengthen the capacity of strategic raw materials value chains by 2030.
First of all, 10% of the strategic raw materials will need to be extracted in Europe. As circularity and recycling alone cannot meet the growing demand for these raw materials, extraction via mining is still unavoidable. The focus here is on limiting the environmental impact, for example by working towards near-zero waste processing and even unmanned mines. In recent years, VITO has built up significant expertise in recovering valuable materials from mining waste, and can therefore make a targeted contribution to more sustainable mining, from cleaning up waste streams to recovering residual fractions of valuable metals, and putting what is left over to good use. The mining sector itself is a strong advocate for this, because it means no more waste for them to have to stockpile or dispose of, waste is valorised, and the metals can be used for high-end applications.
Second, the processing of raw materials such as ores into semi-finished products and products needs to account for 40% of annual demand in Europe. Here too, VITO can make a contribution with technology and circular business models for the sustainable production, use and management of high-tech materials. We are also supporting companies in handling raw materials in a more efficient and circular way. This is possible by implementing circular business models that move away from the idea that products are simply sold without further consideration or after-care by the producer.
Third, 15% of Europe's annual consumption of strategic raw materials must be met via recycling. Many waste streams still contain valuable materials. These must no longer go to waste, through dumping or export. It all starts with determining the exact content of the often diverse waste streams. After that, it is crucial to recover the materials from the waste stream in the most sustainable way possible. For each of these steps, VITO has the necessary technology in place to support companies in this objective. In addition, VITO advises companies and governments in setting up recycling chains. To achieve efficient recycling, the entire collection-sorting-processing chain must be optimised to get the right material with the right quality to the right place.
The CRM Act mainly has an impact on the start-up of new industrial activity. The deadline, 2030, means there is not much time for new research and innovation. The focus will therefore be on implementing and scaling up technologies developed by ourselves and other research organisations.
More than ever, companies directly or indirectly impacted by the CRM Act can turn to VITO. There are various VITO technologies that are already very close to the market and can therefore be adopted in the industry fairly quickly, which means we can provide targeted help to companies to capitalise on this new reality. In addition, we can also help companies that are not yet ready to switch to a new technology to develop and test new technologies through funded projects, for example. We are already doing that now and can continue expanding.
The CRM Act also makes it clear to companies that they have a lot to gain if they commit to circular strategies and better materials management. It is essential to keep materials under own management as much as possible, by working with leasing systems, for example. The sense of urgency is currently lacking because companies often do not see the economic benefit. The CRM Act can bring about change in that regard. It demonstrates that Europe is aware of the risks involved in simply outsourcing materials and raw materials, and being dependent on unreliable suppliers and supply channels. The same applies to companies: they do not know for sure whether they will still be able to source the necessary raw materials and materials within five years. VITO can help in this regard. We provide evidence-based advice on how to incorporate more circularity and develop a circular business model tailored to their value chain and situation.
More recycling and reuse
The CRM Act also clearly states that Europe needs to vigorously pursue the circular economy. Within the European Green Deal, legislative proposals, directives and measures were drawn up for each sector - from energy to agriculture. One of the points is that industry has to use far fewer new raw materials, and have a strong focus on recycling and reuse.
Europe has put together three new packages of measures in this regard. The first relates to eco-design. How do you make sure products are easily repairable? One example is adhesives, which are now a cheap way to make products, but make repairs difficult. A second stage is the sales phase, where suggestions include a label indicating how repairable the product is. The third package relates to the use phase. Here, the key words are reduce, reuse and recycle. To get a feel for what is possible, Europe asked the stakeholders themselves to test a number of ideas for feasibility. After all, just because a good idea is on the table does not mean it is feasible, or even ecologically/economically sound and sustainable. For example, one suggestion is that manufacturers should guarantee that products can be repaired for up to 10 years after purchase.
Together with the European Environment Agency, VITO published a report cataloguing the repair sector. It looked at the offering of repair facilities in Europe, in the electrical, textile and furniture sectors. The conclusion is clear: the sector is under pressure. Despite the good intentions of citizens, repairs are hampered by (too) many factors. If you want to guide people towards repairing products, you also have to make sure that not only is there an opportunity to repair, but that the repair is also interesting for the person in question. People too often have the idea - rightly or wrongly - that having the product repaired is more expensive than throwing it away and replacing it with a new one.
Citizens themselves indicated that something needed to be developed to extend the lifespan of products, and the Commission has picked up on that question. Raising the repair period to 10 years is one of the initiatives that responds to this question, and has already been adopted by the Commission. One way to encourage people to opt for repairs is to make it clear to them where this is possible in their neighbourhood.
The European Commission also wants Member States to work towards matching providers and users. This is exactly what previously happened in the Interreg NWE project Sharepair, which started four years ago and is now completed. In that project, VITO researchers collaborated on digital tools to promote repairs. The Repair Map is one of them. With this tool, you can see exactly where in your neighbourhood you can get things repaired. The European Commission now wants citizens to be able to find a suitable repair shop much faster, and that is where this tool comes in. If you search for your region on the map, you can immediately see who offers a service in your area or where and when a repair café will be organised. Both professionals and handy DIYers can advertise themselves on the site.
"Right now, any professional, as well as anyone who sees themselves as somewhat handy, can register on the site," explains Yoko Dams of VITO. "We have also set up city platforms for the participating municipalities, such as Leuven Fixt. Ultimately, every city or municipality could create a similar platform where citizens can search, and through which you can create a kind of community."
"This is an interesting tool, but it is mainly a starting point towards broader, systemic thinking," says Dams. "It shouldn't stop at a repair café, we need to take it a step further where, for example, insurance companies also play the sustainability card and, for example, no longer refund repairs if they have not been done sustainably. A good example is the collaboration with car repairers, insurance companies and experts in the Eco Repair Score, another tool on which VITO collaborated. We are taking repairs to the next level here, using digital tools, and through collaboration throughout the chain."
