Secondary raw materials inventory

Specific Challenge: The complexity and heterogeneity of waste streams require coordination and networking between researchers, entrepreneurs and public authorities to harmonise technologies, processes and services, to profit from benchmarking, sharing best practices, and gender mainstreaming, and to use or develop standards. Insufficient cooperation between different value chain players in several raw materials sectors results in lower recycling rates or suboptimal use of raw materials from an environmental and socio-economic point of view. Improved cooperation within or along different value chains and among stakeholders, including a participatory role of citizens, representing the wider society, and civil society organisations, can lead to more efficient use of raw materials and to waste reduction.

The global nature of the waste management challenge requires coordination, pooling of resources and support to the definition of global objectives and strategies, and holds a potential for export of eco-innovative solutions and seizing new markets. Dissemination at international level of knowledge on waste management, including environmental regulations and standards, can contribute to turning waste into a resource at global level and to setting up resource efficient waste management systems and technologies and services, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies. To this end, enhanced forms of participatory processes for all stakeholders are needed.

Scope: Proposals shall address the following issue:

Secondary raw materials inventory: Establishment of an EU network of relevant institutions (such as environmental agencies, research organisations, etc.) for enhancing knowledge in order to improve the sustainable supply of raw materials through an inventory component of an EU knowledge base with data and information on secondary raw materials, in particular critical raw materials, and their flows, maps and evaluation of European stocks. It should improve data collection on secondary raw materials from different types of waste (such as mining waste, wood-based, industrial, municipal waste, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and others) at national and regional level in the EU and Associated Countries and subsequent access to data, and help identify the need for additional EU-wide waste statistics. Compatibility with relevant EU or global standards and interoperability with national databases and other relevant databases (e.g. from Seventh Framework Programme projects) should be ensured. Close cooperation with other on-going activities related to the EU knowledge base should be provided. If appropriate, the development of new standards should be examined. The action shall support implementation of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials.

Expected impact:

In the medium term, better-informed decision-making at EU and national level as well as by industry. Increased EU raw materials knowledge and transparency of EU raw materials information, for the benefit of various stakeholders. Boosting the raw material sector through an interdisciplinary and transnational cooperation allowing matching the supply and demand from the EU downstream industries. In the longer term, improving availability of key raw materials, while creating greater added value to the economy and more jobs. Facilitation of exchange of information and increased knowledge and use of the most advanced, economically effective and innovative technologies in the whole value chain of raw materials. Contribution to the implementation of the EIP on Raw Materials.

Type of action: Coordination and support actions