On 27 March 2026, Rolf Kuby, Director General of Euromines, participated in the First Industrial Forum Plenary Meeting, hosted by DG GROW at the European Commission. The forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and social and environmental partners to shape Europe’s industrial future.
Building on these discussions, resilience requires more than securing raw materials; it demands a holistic approach across the entire value chain. From mining to recycling, Europe must ensure long-term supply security, sustainable production, and stable demand, aligning policy with real industrial projects.
Key Takeaways:
Framework Conditions and Scale-Up
Europe’s industrial potential relies on efficient legal licenses and permitting. Current delays in mining projects, sometimes 10–15 years, and restrictive regulatory frameworks threaten the resilience of strategic value chains. Policies like the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), RESourceEU, and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) must work together to strengthen critical raw materials supply chains, meeting Europe’s needs from electrification to defense.
Strengthening Demand for EU Raw Materials
The European Commission’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) currently addresses only a limited part of the industrial ecosystem. A comprehensive approach should cover the full value chain, including the mining of key raw materials.
A CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies) study highlights effective policy tools to support this, such as:
- Linking local content to public procurement
- Setting rules of origin in free trade agreements (FTAs)
- Establishing minimum standards for market access
- Using mechanisms like floor prices or stockpiling with off-take guarantees to provide investment certainty
Read the CEPS study here.
Investment Conditions and Security of Supply
Securing cost-competitive, long-term access to raw materials is critical. Security of supply depends not only on sources but also on stable European demand. Clear sourcing strategies, policy certainty, and investment frameworks are essential for a resilient raw materials sector.
Foresightful Approach to Supply Crises
Europe must translate policy into concrete projects across the ecosystem, from mining to recycling, to support mobility, electrification, digitalization, and defense goals.
European Commission Speakers at the Forum
- Kerstin Jorna, Director General, DG GROW
- Bertrand L’Huillier, Head of Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné
- Anna Athanasopoulou, Director Simplification & Networks, DG GROW
- Ana Xavier, Head of Unit Machinery, Equipment & AI, DG GROW
- Guillaume de La Brosse, Head of Unit Defence Policy & Innovation, DG DEFIS