RAWCLIC

The main goal of the RAWCLIC project is to develop knowledge on the future critical raw materials (CRM) demand, supply and associated environmental impacts induced by the twin transition (decarbonization and digitalization) in the EU, and to support fact-based industry- and policy- decision-making enabling this transition. RAWCLIC revolutionizes the development and analysis of likely future scenarios of CRM demand and supply, considering challenges and opportunities as to material substitution, future CRM potential deposits (geological and from urban mining), processing technologies, circular use of materials, geopolitical shifts, and induced environmental impacts. It enables to identify i) the challenges, and associated risks to supply, ii) opportunities, and iii) potential mitigation measures, at technology, sectoral and EU-levels. It improves and expands existing models, and develops new ones, to assess and analyze the future demand, supply from secondary and primary sources, and environmental effects (including climate change, waste generation, land and water use, and biodiversity impacts). The models are applied to a selection of 20 CRM justified in the context of the twin transition, while ensuring replicability for future modelling exercises. Modelling activities are harmonized and integrated into development pathways and strategies facilitating the twin transition while accounting for crucial risks regarding CRM bottlenecks. RAWCLIC ultimately develops a coherent roadmap for global decision makers working in research, policy, and industry to achieve the twin transition. Industry stakeholders from across the value chain of the focus CRM are in regular dialogue with the project. This includes engagement with downstream industries in energy and digital technologies to support their resilience, and with upstream mining and refining stakeholders to support their decarbonization objectives.

The project contributions of the Technology Assessment group focus on i) further development of the prospective LCA tool premise to better represent future decarbonization in CRM mining and associated supply chains; ii) introducing low-carbon processes and technologies in economic sectors important for the overall environmental impacts of European CRM supply; and, iii) on the quantification of prospective environmental burdens of CRM mining and European supply chains in general. This will include regionalized Life Cycle Impact Assessment and streamlining methods needed in this context.