The Geneva Platform for Resilient Value Chains has submitted a comprehensive input paper to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) regarding the establishment of the Critical Raw Materials Centre (CRMC). This paper outlines five core pillars and two cross-cutting themes aimed at addressing the current gaps in the EU’s raw materials strategy. The authors, Dr. Tom Moerenhout and Maximilian Kessler, argue that the EU’s approach to critical raw materials must evolve to ensure security of supply and competitiveness in the global market.
The first pillar focuses on establishing an ‘Industry Intelligence’ hub to collect and analyse market data, which is currently lacking in the EU. The authors highlight the need for a structured system to gather forward-looking information about demand, project pipelines, and supply chain vulnerabilities. They draw comparisons with Japan’s successful trading house model, which integrates state and industry efforts to provide a clearer picture of market dynamics. The proposed Intelligence Hub would serve as a central platform for confidential information sharing, enabling better-informed decisions on investment support and stockpiling.
The second pillar advocates for ‘Early-risk investment’, proposing a fund similar to Japan’s JOGMEC to support exploration and feasibility studies. The authors stress that the EU currently lacks coherent funding mechanisms for early-stage projects, which hampers the development of strategic mining initiatives. The paper also discusses the need for coordinated financing, stockpiling strategies, and international co-investment to enhance the EU’s position in the global critical minerals landscape. By implementing these recommendations, the CRMC could significantly bolster the EU’s resilience against supply chain disruptions and enhance its competitive edge in critical raw materials.
