Analysis of Circular Economy Research and Innovation (R&I) intensity for critical products in the supply chains of strategic technologies
To develop renewable energy, digital, space and defence technologies, the EU needs access to critical raw materials largely imported from third countries. To mitigate the risk of supply disruptions, the Critical Raw Materials Act proposes to diversify sources of imports, increasing domestic extraction, processing, and recycling. The circular economy is positioned as a key element of the EU strategy to deploy strategic technologies for navigating the sustainability transition in a complex geopolitical landscape. The present study analyses the intensity of circular economy research and innovation (R&I) in the supply chains of strategic technologies. The focus is placed on four critical products containing raw materials having high supply risks: lithium-ion battery cells; neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets; photovoltaic cells; hydrogen electrolysers and fuel-cells. The analysis provides insights into: where circularity efforts R&I have been placed in terms of different products and supply chains; which countries are undertaking these efforts; how is the EU positioned and how much funding was deployed so far; what are the current gaps and trends going forward. This study contributes with evidence to advance scientific research and policymaking on the role of a circular economy to achieve open strategic autonomy and climate neutrality in the EU.
BALDASSARRE Brian;
BUESA OLAVARRIETA Alejandro;
ALBIZZATI Paola Federica;
JAKIMOW-CANTON Malgorzata;
SAVEYN Hans;
CARRARA Samuel;
2023-09-15
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC134253
978-92-68-07529-6 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 31657 EN,
OP KJ-NA-31-657-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC134253,
10.2760/582527 (online),
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