EU launches RESourceEU plan to secure critical raw materials

The European Commission adopts the RESourceEU Action Plan and will establish a European Critical Raw Materials Centre to accelerate deployment of Strategic Projects and reduce dependencies on single suppliers.

• Main action: The Commission will set up a European Critical Raw Materials Centre (start operations in 2026) to provide systemic intelligence, steer financing and conduct joint purchasing and stockpiling; it will be equipped via legislative proposals by Q2 2026 and will coordinate a CRM financing hub aiming to mobilise EUR 3 billion of EU funds within the next 12 months. The Commission and EIB are unlocking financial support today for two projects (Greenland Resources’ Malmbjerg molybdenum and Vulcan lithium in Germany), with an EIB financial support of EUR 250 million to these projects.
• Background and measures: RESourceEU targets near-term deployment of projects operable by 2029 and includes measures such as permit-acceleration proposals (guidance Q1 2026; Water Framework Directive review by Q2 2026), planned export restrictions on permanent magnet scrap by Q2 2026, classification of waste lithium-ion batteries/black mass as hazardous from September 2026, a pilot stockpiling operational early 2026, registration to the Raw Materials Mechanism launched 18 November 2025 with first matchmaking in March 2026, and coordinated funding streams (EIB/EBRD/InvestEU/Innovation Fund/Battery Booster/EIC) to de-risk projects.