Overview
- The Commission announced a European Centre for Critical Raw Materials to monitor needs, coordinate joint purchases and manage shared reserves, with setup slated for early next year and a pilot stockpiling scheme in the coming months.
- A new platform will let companies across member states pool demand to secure supplies of inputs such as rare earths and lithium at lower cost and with streamlined logistics.
- Brussels plans targeted financing to speed domestic mining, processing and recycling, with reports of nearly €3 billion to be mobilised in 2026, €1 billion in EU grants and simplified EIB lending including €250 million for Vulcan Energy’s German lithium project.
- The EU signalled more proactive use of trade and security tools and will move to keep materials in‑bloc by restricting exports of aluminium and permanent‑magnet waste in the first half of 2026, with copper measures under consideration.
- China’s commerce ministry said general licences are being used to approve civilian rare‑earth exports, easing immediate pressure, while European industry warns of near‑term shortages and reporting by Bloomberg says US buyers are outbidding EU firms for scarce supply.