Towards Improved Monitoring of the Raw Materials Situation in Europe

Europe relies on reliable and robust knowledge on materials stocks and flows to promote innovation along the entire value chain of raw materials. Using the analogy of biological systems, (Frosch and Gallopoulos 1989)... [ view full abstract ]

Europe relies on reliable and robust knowledge on materials stocks and flows to promote innovation along the entire value chain of raw materials. Using the analogy of biological systems, (Frosch and Gallopoulos 1989) envisioned an economy in which flows of energy and materials are optimized, waste generation is reduced, and by-products are beneficially used in co-located processes. Recently, the European Commission (EC) launched a Circular Economy Package to stimulate Europe’s transition toward a more circular economy. Against this background, it is essential to better understand Europe’s societal metabolism, i.e., to regularly monitor the material flows and stocks within the EU economy, their level of circularity, and highlight data gaps and possible research areas for the future. Securing undistorted access to raw materials is also important to stimulate investment in innovation and new technologies. In the EU, a lot of raw material relevant information and data are generated by Member States and within scientific projects (including those funded by the EU). However, this knowledge is often scattered and difficult to access. This presentation will summarize ongoing efforts by the EC Directorate General Joint Research Centre (DG JRC) to enhance the monitoring of materials stocks and flows in Europe and present first results. The Raw Materials Information System (RMIS) acts as the central component of the EU’s Knowledge Base on Raw Materials and aims to help in monitoring the raw materials situation in Europe across the whole life-cycle, i.e., from resource extraction to material processing to manufacturing and fabrication to use and then to collection, processing, and disposal. The material flow analysis (MFA) module of the RMIS provides in-house developed MFA studies and trade information for various materials, and links to external MFA research efforts. This includes, e.g., Sankey visualizations of the circular flow of major materials categories and MFAs for 28 critical materials in the EU. The Raw Materials Scoreboard provides overarching indicators and integrates, in one place, knowledge from governments, academia, and business on the provision and use of raw materials in Europe and beyond. The revised EU criticality methodology aims at improved capturing of the economic importance and potential supply disruptions of raw materials. Together these tools and platforms allow a more integrated assessment of raw materials, inform EU policy making, and manage resource use more wisely.