Raw materials

Securing a sustainable supply of raw materials is a key priority for the EU. Raw materials, such as metals and minerals or forest-based materials, have become increasingly important to the EU's economy, growth, and competitiveness. More than 30 million jobs in the EU and many key economic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy are dependent on a sustainable supply of raw materials. Raw materials are particularly crucial for the development of modern environmentally friendly technologies and a strong European industrial base. Without them, there wouldn’t be any smartphones, laptops, or cars.

In the spotlight

Policy and strategy

The Raw materials initiative is the EU’s raw materials strategic policy framework. In addition, the European Commission launched 3 large initiatives

Areas of specific interest

Find out more about the Commission’s actions at EU and international level

Industries

The Commission's objective is to promote, within the EU’s wider industrial policy, the competitiveness of industries related to raw materials

Mining industries comprising of minerals and non-energy extractive industries
Metal industries comprising of non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, copper, and zinc - and ferrous materials such as steel
Non-metallic mineral products industries comprising of the production of cement and lime, ceramics, glass
Forest based industries consisting of four major sectors: wood working, furniture, paper and pulp manufacturing, and printing

Due diligence ready! tool to responsibly source minerals and metals and comply with regulations

Conferences

Raw Materials Week

Brexit

See specific sectoral guidance notices for stakeholders

Contact

GROW-C2ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (grow-C2[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)

Raw materials, metals, minerals and forest-based industries