The pandemic and the war in Ukraine showed the European economy how much it is dependant on existing supply chains. This is especially evident in the supply of several critical raw materials.
Besides other elements lithium and magnesium are treated as critical raw materials, they are hardly or even not replaceable in certain industrial processes. According to studies the EU actually depends 100% on third countries ( mainly China ) at 14 from 27 raw materials. In order to decrease this high level of dependence , it is suggested that on one side in the frame of the EU the extraction and exploitation of more raw materials should be reached, simultaneously also the aim would be the diversification of supply chains and the decrease of the dependence on individual countries. Also the recycling process of critical raw materials should be improved. All these measures should result in the fact that by 2030 the EU would not depend more than 65% upon singular third country at the supply of critical materials. However for this purpose no additional funds are planned, but the member countries have the possibility to support the projects of strategical importance with state subventions.
