Electronics depend on critical raw materials in performance-defining functions: radiofrequency (RF) and power semiconductors, decoupling capacitors, terminations and connector finishes, power-electronic substrates and heat spreaders, and infrared optics and photonics. This report assesses 74 advanced-material, design, process, packaging and circularity options across five electronics CRM portfolios (gallium, tantalum, palladium, beryllium oxide and germanium), using a benchmark-relative screening framework covering CRM reduction, functional performance, lifetime and reliability, cost, circularity, environmental sustainability and European capability. The main finding is that CRM-reduction options already exist for the functions selected across all five portfolios, including direct material substitution, the majority at TRL 7 or above. The constraint is deployment: high-reliability qualification, package-level integration, pilot-line access, substrate and process capability, recycling options and procurement confidence. Substitution shifts dependence rather than removing it, so each option is assessed for the critical raw material it reduces and for the new material, substance-of-concern, capability or geopolitical exposure it creates. Supporting Action 3 of COM(2024) 98, the report identifies where EU research and innovation should target qualification, pilot lines, reliability datasets, circular-economy infrastructure and burden-shift monitoring.

COELHO Fernando;  OLIVEIRA Filipa M.;  MOURDIKOUDIS Stefanos;  PENNINGTON David; 

2026-09-21

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC147525

978-92-68-43559-5 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40853,    OP KJ-01-26-388-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC147525,   

10.2760/3408930 (online),