The newly launched Raw Matters podcast shines a spotlight on one of the most pressing challenges facing Europe today: securing a sustainable and resilient supply of critical raw materials.
As Europe accelerates its transition towards clean energy, electrified transport, and digital technologies, demand for critical raw materials continues to grow. At the same time, the continent remains heavily dependent on imports of many strategic resources, creating economic, environmental, and geopolitical vulnerabilities. Through expert discussions and insights from across the raw materials sector, Raw Matters explores the challenges and opportunities associated with building more resilient and sustainable value chains.
These are also central themes of the Horizon Europe ENICON project. By developing innovative and sustainable processing routes for low-grade sulphidic and lateritic nickel/cobalt ores, mining tailings, and other secondary resources, ENICON contributes to strengthening Europe's domestic supply of battery-grade nickel and cobalt. The project aims to improve Europe's refining capacity through advanced hydrometallurgical technologies, increase resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and support a more resilient and competitive European battery value chain.
The topics discussed in Raw Matters highlight the growing importance of initiatives that promote sustainable sourcing, responsible processing, and the recovery of critical raw materials. As demand for battery materials continues to increase, advancing innovative refining technologies that enable the efficient use of both primary and secondary resources will be essential for enhancing Europe's strategic autonomy and supporting the transition to climate neutrality.
The launch of the podcast provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges facing the raw materials sector and the innovative solutions being developed across Europe. By fostering dialogue between researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and the public, Raw Matters contributes to a broader understanding of how sustainable processing, resource efficiency, and innovation can help secure the materials needed for Europe's green and digital transition.
The ENICON consortium welcomes initiatives that encourage discussion around critical raw materials, sustainable processing, and resource resilience, and looks forward to following future episodes of the series.
Where to watch or listen to RAW MATTERS?
- Watch Episode #1 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxHOFp6DYHA
- Listen to Episode #1 on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1THwRMNc3PEhYx5FRIuPCR?si=TlK34G6mSQuYQbbc53PWlQ
- Follow all news about the RAW MATTERS podcast on its dedicated LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/raw-matters-podcast