The objective is to identify the most crucial applications of CRMs in defence, with particular attention to the analysis of the present circularity level. Next steps are devoted to the generation of project ideas focusing on suitable advanced processes, able to build an EU-endogenous supply chain for the concerned CRMs, profiting possibly of the Raw Materials Alliance, launched by the European Commission.
This includes the optimisation of the present manufacturing processes, underpinning the generation of circularity by-design, and the replacement of CRMs with circular materials available in EU. This is the last option, because it implies the generation of totally new supply chains, with relevant impact on the needed budget and time.
Some CRMs are also REACH-regulated. This implies that, after the sunset fixed by ECHA, they are supposed to be banned from use and their replacement is necessary. In this case, the entanglement of EU policies of CRMs and REACH should foster a coordinated research policy leading to roadmaps for the creation of new supply chains for new circular materials replacing REACH-regulated materials.
Key activities foreseen
- Evaluation of the main defence applications involving Critical Raw Materials and design of an activity roadmap;
- Evaluation on the reuse or recycling of CRMs incorporated in the defence system/components concerned;
- Potential evaluation on the replacement of CRMs incorporated in the defence system/components concerned
The themes embedded within this Project Circle have been developed within the concerned EDA working bodies, such as the Materials Capability Technology Group (CapTech).
If you want to express your interest in joining this Project Circle, please send an email to our functional MailBox: circular.economy@eda.europa.eu
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