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What are Critical Raw Materials? 

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Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) are those raw materials which are economically and strategically important for the European economy, but have a high-risk associated with their supply. Used in environmental technologies, consumer electronics, health, steel-making, defence, space exploration, and aviation, these materials are not only ‘critical’ for key industry sectors and future applications, but also for the sustainable functioning of the European economy.

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It is important to note that these materials are not classified as ‘critical’ because these materials are considered scarce, rather they are classified as ‘critical’ because:

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1. They have a significant economic importance for key sectors in the European economy, such as consumer electronics, environmental technologies, automotive, aerospace, defence, health and steel.
    

2. They have a high-supply risk due to the very-high import dependence and high level of concentration of set critical raw materials in particular countries
    

3. There is a lack of (viable) substitutes, due to the very unique and reliable properties of these materials for existing, as well as future applications

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Why are CRMs so important?  

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Other than the high-risk associated with their supply, Critical Raw Materials are so important because they are ‘critical’ for the EU’s mega-sectors and for a wide range of commercial and governmental applications: green technology, telecommunications, space exploration, aerial imaging, aviation, medical devices, micro-electronics, transportation, defence, and other high-technology products and services. As a result, EU industry, the environment, and our quality and modern way of life is reliant on access and use of these Critical Raw Materials. This can be seen in the following sectors:

CRMs are essential for nearly all our electronic, life-saving and green technologies 

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List of Critical Raw Materials

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In 2020, the European Commission published its revised list of Critical Raw Materials. 

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Click on an image for more information.