Efficient Use of Critical Raw Materials for Optimal Resource Management in EU Countries

Abstract

The European Commission has established a Critical Raw Materials List (CRM) for the European Union (EU), which is subject to regular review and updating. CRMs are needed in many key industries such as automotive, steel, aerospace, renewable energy, etc. To address this issue, we studied publicly available data from databases developed by the EU for monitoring the progress of individual countries in key areas for the development of society. The paper analyzes indicators of import reliance, net additions to stock, domestic material consumption (DMC), resource productivity, and circular material use rate. Prospective products and technologies, in electromobility, digitalization, Industry 4.0, and energy transformation, are changing and increasing the demand for raw materials. The aim of this article is to look at the ways forward in order to use critical raw materials as efficiently as possible while at the same time ensuring the optimal economy of the countries. From the sources and databases of data available for the EU, we analyzed a number of variables and suggested options for future developments in the efficient use of critical raw materials. We defined what we believed to be the optimal management means in relation to critical raw materials and worked backwards to find a path to efficient use of critical raw materials.

Understanding Rare Earth Elements as Critical Raw Materials

“…REEs, along with other critical resource materials (CRMs), have high risks associated with their supply chains [23] and have unique properties that are often difficult to replace or duplicate by using modern technology [24] or conventional methods [25]. According to the European Commission [14], CRMs are important for many industries across all their supply chains thanks to their relevance to modern technology (e.g., electric motors, intelligent household applications) and the quality of life based on that and for a clean technology-based future: they are currently irreplaceable, for instance, in solar panels; wind turbines; electric batteries and electric vehicles; automotive catalysts; energy-efficient lighting; liquid-crystal displays for mobile phones, computers, and television sets; glass additives and ceramics; metallurgy; phosphors; and polishing powders.…”

Assessment of the European Emissions Trading System’s Impact on Sustainable Development

“…Similarly, there is a growing interest in climate-related economic losses following the Paris Climate Conference, which enshrined loss and damage as a permanent feature of the global climate regime [28]. Regarding the use of raw materials, many key industries require increasing quantities of raw materials [29], especially considering green transition policies along with the value added in environmental goods and services [30]. The circular material use rate is one of the leading indicators of circular economy progress [31].…”

Progress in Sustainable Recycling and Circular Economy of Tungsten Carbide Hard Metal Scraps for Industry 5.0 and Onwards

“…[31]. All of these factors lead to an increased carbon footprint and a reduced ecological [22,23,[32][33][34][35][36].…”

“…With an astonishing boom in population, technology, and the demand for manufacturing, the global need for tungsten and its tools is growing more than ever; however, a major hindrance behind the long-term sustainability and use of 'rare metal' tungsten lies in its finite availability (non-renewable resource) [23]. On the other hand, the inclusion of tungsten and cobalt both in the EU list of critical raw materials (CRM) has posed a serious need to find an alternative for future usage [32]. At a time when the manufacturing sector continues to navigate the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 5.0, the next revolution, is at the doors with a strong emphasis on sustainability (recycling, energy efficiency) and making production (materials) respect the boundaries of our planet [33][34][35]; hence, it is high time for the world to understand the point of sustainable development through efficient metal use, metal reclamation (recycling), environmental protection, economic recovery and re-use of the world's finite resources of tungsten [31,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43].…”

“…ever; however, a major hindrance behind the long-term sustainability and u metal' tungsten lies in its finite availability (non-renewable resource) [23]. O hand, the inclusion of tungsten and cobalt both in the EU list of critical raw (CRM) has posed a serious need to find an alternative for future usage [32]. At a the manufacturing sector continues to navigate the fourth industrial revolutio 5.0, the next revolution, is at the doors with a strong emphasis on sustainability energy efficiency) and making production (materials) respect the boundaries o [33][34][35]; hence, it is high time for the world to understand the point of sustain opment through efficient metal use, metal reclamation (recycling), environmen tion, economic recovery and re-use of the world's finite resources of tungsten In other words, it is necessary to achieve effective recycling methods for tungs scraps in order to recover tungsten (W) and the binder metal, such as nickel (N (Co).…”