EU Commission Announces 47 Flagship Initiatives Under the Critical Raw Materials Act

On 25 March 2025, the European Commission unveiled a list of 47 Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). These initiatives aim to fortify the EU’s critical raw materials value chains and enhance the bloc’s strategic autonomy in securing essential resources.
Understanding the CRMA and the Role of Strategic Projects
The Critical Raw Materials Act, which entered into force in May 2024, is a cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to address growing concerns around the supply of key raw materials essential for technologies in renewable energy, defense, batteries, and aerospace. Materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel are vital, but the EU currently relies heavily on third countries for their supply, processing, and recycling.
To address these vulnerabilities, the CRMA establishes clear benchmarks to be met by 2030:

• At least 10% of the EU's annual consumption from domestic extraction
  
• At least 40% from domestic processing
  
• At least 25% from domestic recycling
  
• No more than 65% of the EU’s annual consumption to come from a single third country
  

To help achieve these goals, the CRMA provides a dedicated framework for the identification and support of Strategic Projects—initiatives considered essential for the secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials within the EU.
Selection and Benefits of Strategic Projects
Applications for Strategic Project status opened in 2024. Projects were evaluated by independent experts based on technical feasibility, financial and sustainability metrics, alignment with CRMA criteria, and classification under the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources.
Following this initial assessment, the European Commission created a shortlist, which was then reviewed by the Critical Raw Materials Board—composed of representatives from EU Member States and the European Parliament (as an observer). After consultation, the final list of 47 Strategic Projects was formally adopted.
These projects benefit from two significant advantages:

1. Streamlined Permitting:
   Permitting timelines are significantly shortened. Extraction projects must receive permits within 27 months, while other project types have a maximum timeline of 15 months—far quicker than the standard five to ten years typically required.
   
2. Enhanced Access to Finance:
   Collectively requiring an estimated €22.5 billion in investment, these projects will benefit from advisory support by the CRMA’s financing sub-group, which includes the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other financial stakeholders. Additional funding may also be accessed via the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund.
   

Although the real-world impact of these benefits remains to be fully seen, the Strategic Project label offers project developers improved financing prospects, targeted guidance, and regulatory predictability—key advantages in a competitive global landscape.
A Snapshot of the 47 Strategic Projects
The designated Strategic Projects span 13 EU Member States and reflect diverse stages of the raw materials value chain:

• Extraction: 25 projects
  
• Processing: 24 projects
  
• Recycling: 10 projects
  
• Substitution of critical materials: 2 projects
  

In terms of materials, the projects are focused on:

• Lithium: 22 projects
  
• Nickel: 12 projects
  
• Graphite: 11 projects
  
• Cobalt: 10 projects
  
• Manganese: 7 projects
  
• Tungsten: 3 projects
  
• Magnesium: 1 project
  

Looking Ahead
The designation of these 47 projects marks a significant milestone in the EU's efforts to secure the raw materials that underpin its green and digital transitions. As implementation begins, close attention will be paid to how effectively these projects are supported—and how they help reshape the EU's strategic position in global supply chains.

Australian Projects
​
The following projects have been awarded Strategic Projects status where there is an ASX listed company involved:

• Vulcan Energy’s (ASX: VUL) Lionheart Project (in Germany): A geothermal lithium project combining extraction and conversion with net-zero emissions.
• Talga Group’s (ASX: TLG) graphite mine (in Sweden): A natural graphite operation supplying anode material to European battery makers.
• European Metals’ (ASX: EMH) Cinovec lithium project (in Czech Republic): Europe’s largest hard rock lithium resource.