Transnational efforts to foster research in raw materials
To successfully secure imported supplies, advanced research is needed for processes such as ore extraction, mineral processing, product design, reuse and recycling. With this in mind, the EU-funded ERA-MIN (European Research Area – Network on the industrial handling of raw materials for European industries) project tackled fragmentation at EU level and promoted research in industrial production and supply of raw materials. To address the challenge of sustainable mineral resource supply in Europe, project partners created synergies with relevant initiatives and other EU-funded projects beyond ERA-MIN. Major players from academia and industry were invited to join ERA-MIN, which currently includes 20 funding and programming agencies from 15 European countries, as well as Argentina and South Africa. Together with industry, the network seeks to overcome the existing state of fragmentation in research on non-energy mineral resources by better coordinating national programmes and funding at EU level. Three joint calls were launched during the period 2013-2015, leading to the funding of 17 transnational projects. Five working groups gathered about 100 experts to develop a roadmap to assess research and innovation gaps and challenges, and highlight research priorities that need to be addressed within the next 10 years. ERA-MIN mobilised and pooled the resources of industry, research, education and policymakers in overcoming the security supply issues of mineral resources that are so vital to the European economy.
Keywords
Raw materials, mineral resources, ERA-MIN, European Research Area
