RMIS Newsletter. n. 2 (April 2020).
Date: 2020-04-06
Institutions: Joint Research Centre
Subjects: EU industrial policy, circular economy, information system, raw material, serial publication

JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE (JRC) 

RAW MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM (RMIS)  

RMIS Newsletter n.2 (April 2020) 

This newsletter is a bi-annual summary of the main developments related to the  European Commission’s Raw Materials 
Information System (RMIS). It provides key highlights on raw materials knowledge support to policy.  

4th International RMIS Workshop: announcement and themes 

The  current  development  state  of  the  RMIS  in  various  thematic 
contexts  will  be  presented,  with  a  view  of  discussing  with  key 
stakeholders the most important knowledge needs and how the RMIS 
could facilitate their fulfilment. Ultimately, these discussions will help 
JRC  formulate  clear  and  inclusive  development  priorities  for  the 
RMIS.  The  2020  RMIS  workshop  will  include  two  main  thematic 
sessions focusing on: 

 

 

the  “sustainable  supply  of  primary  and  secondary  raw 
materials, with a focus on climate change”; 
selected “strategic raw materials value chains for Europe”. 

As  an  highlight  of  this  forthcoming  4th  edition,  the  RMIS  workshop 
will  include  a  specific  session  –  co-organised  with  the  Executive 
Agency  for  Medium  and  Small-sized  Enterprises  (EASME)  –  aiming 
to  present  how  outputs  from  European  projects  (such  as  Horizon 
2020s) can factually help meeting indentified knowledge gaps and can 
be further disseminated through the RMIS. 

defence applications, by diversifying supply from both primary and 
secondary  sources,  is  therefore  one  of  the  pre-requisites  to  make 
this transition happen. The Green Deal will thus have an impact on 
future knowledge needs and on the further development of RMIS. 

As a prompt follow up, the new Industrial Strategy2 was published 
on March 10th, 2020. Within its frame, the Commission will e.g.:  

 

 

 

 

energy-intensive 

adopt a ‘White Paper’ by mid-2020 to address distortive 
effects caused by foreign subsidies; 
introduce  comprehensive  measures  to  modernise  and 
support 
decarbonise 
sustainable and smart mobility industries; 
enhance  Europe's  industrial  and  strategic  autonomy  by 
securing  the  supply  of  critical  raw  materials  through  an 
Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials; 
support  Alliances  on  Low-Carbon  Industries  and  on 
Industrial Clouds and Platforms and raw materials.   

industries, 

Following the 2015 Circular Economy Action Plan (2015 CEAP3), 
and the 2018 CE Package4, on March 11th 2020 the EC adopted the 

2https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_416 
3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:8a8ef5e8-99a0-
11e5-b3b7-01aa75ed71a1.0012.02/DOC_1&format=PDF  
4 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/documents-strategy-
plastics-circular-economy_da  

the  success  of 

the  previous  editions, 

Building  on 
the  2020 
International  RMIS  workshop  will  be  held  again  at  the  JRC-Ispra, 
Italy.  The  measures  against  the  Coronavirus  (Covid-19)  currently 
enforced  in  Europe  –  affecting  citizens  mobility  and  impeding  all 
types  of  gatherings  &  events  –  do  not  allow  to  continue  the 
organisation of the 2020 RMIS Workshop for the time being.  As the 
situation  improves,  the  official  announcement  will  be  made  through 
the RMIS news & event section. 

1. Recent policy with key focus on raw materials  

The European Green Deal1 –  the new growth strategy for Europe 
–  published  on  December  11th  2019  by  the  new  von  der  Leyen 
Commission,  aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous 
society,  with  a  modern,  resource-efficient  and  competitive 
economy  where  there  are  zero  net  emissions  of  greenhouse  gases 
by  2050  and  where  economic  growth  is  decoupled  from  resource 
use. 

Raw  materials  are  implicitly  embedded  into  several  key  pillars  of 
the  Green  Deal,  such  as  clean  energy,  smart  mobility,  climate 
ambition,  fostering  innovation.  Raw  materials  are  more  explicitly 
dealt  with  under  the  pillar  “Mobilising  industry  for  a  clean  and 
circular  economy”,  which  highlights  that  only  12%  of  materials 
use  comes  from  recycling.  This  pillar  calls  for  developing  a 
sustainable  product  policy,  actions  on  resource-intensive  industry 
sectors,  further  waste  reduction,  establishing  a  robust  and 
integrated  single  market  for  secondary  raw  materials  and  by-
products. 

The  document  acknowledges  that  access  to  resources  is  key  for 
Europe’s ambition to deliver the Green Deal’s objectives. Ensuring 
a  sustainable  supply  of  raw  materials,  in particular of  critical  raw 
materials  necessary  for  clean  technologies,  digital,  space  and 

1 https://ec.europa.eu/info/node/123797  

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
                                                        
new,  2020  CEAP5,  ‘for  a  cleaner  and  more  competitive  Europe’. 
The  2020  CEAP  is  one  of  the  main  building  blocks  of  the 
European Green Deal. With measures along the entire life cycle of 
products, the new CEAP aims to make our economy fit for a green 
future,  strengthen  our  competitiveness  while  protecting 
the 
environment  and  give  new  rights  to  consumers.  Special  focus  is 
given  to  key  product  value  chains  and  to  creating  a  well-
functioning market for secondary raw materials in Europe. 

2. Raw materials in battery value chains  

A new  application has recently been  developed in the RMIS with 
focus  on  raw  materials  in  the  battery  value  chains 6  and  their 
relevance for the sustainable development of battery supply chains 
for Europe. 

The first five sections of this application cover the main trends and 
some  key  parameters  in  supply,  demand,  stocks  &  flows,  and 
reuse. The last section, in the form  of an interactive data viewer7,  
contains  data  from  research  on  batteries  (all  chemistries)  and  the 
associated  materials  that  are  entering,  exiting  or  in  use  in  the  EU 
territory. These pages focus on the current and future trends related 
to the introduction of lithium-ion batteries for e-mobility. 

The  data  available  in  the  data  browser  are  aggregated  at  the  EU 
level  and  where  present,  the  10  most  relevant  materials  are 
highlighted (antimony, cadmium, cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, 
manganese, nickel, lead, zinc). All data are represented as totals in 
tonnes for the EU, for the years 2006 to 2021.8 

The data viewer provides visualization of quantitative information 
grouped as: 

relevant materials; 

  weight of batteries per application; 
 
  weight of batteries per chemistry ; 
  materials per EU Battery Directive; 
  materials per sector; 
  materials in e-mobility/ traction batteries. 

Picture – Example 3:  weight (tonnes) of relevant raw materials in batteries 
(2008-2021) (Source: RMIS, Industrial value chains and material flows) 

3. Development of EU country profiles: overview 

The ‘EU Country Profiles’9 module in the RMIS provides country-
specific  knowledge  for  non-food,  non-energy  raw  materials  based 
on established data sources (e.g., Eurostat, UNIDO, UN Statistics) 
and    statistical  methodologies.  Profiles  for  13  EU  countries  are 
currently  accessible.  For  the  remaining  EU  countries,  work  is 
ongoing. 

These profiles collect and synthetize essential raw materials related 
knowledge.  Each  profile  presents  selected  country-level  data  and 
indicators,  structured  into  nine  thematic  sections,  as  presented 
hereafter.    

Picture – Example 1:  total weight of batteries (tonnes) per application, as 
placed on the market (2008-2021) (Source: RMIS, Industrial value chains 
and material flows) 

5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:9903b325-6388-
11ea-b735-01aa75ed71a1.0017.02/DOC_2&format=PDF  
6 https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/apps/bvc/#/  
7 https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/apps/bvc/#/p/dataviewer  
8 The data for 2018 until 2021 are forecasted from existing observed 
trends. 

Picture – Thematic sections of the EU Country Profile (Source: RMIS, 
European Country Profiles) 

‘Key  Indicators’  and  ‘Research,  development  and  innovation’ 
sections  focus  on  the  performance  of  selected  industry  sectors,  in 
terms  of  e.g.  value  added,  employment,  labour  productivity  and 
magnitude of R&I investments. These sections also include several 
relevant economy-wide indicators. 

9 https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?page=country-profiles#/    

2 

 
 
 
                                                        
 
 
 
 
                                                        
been  reporting  cases  of  human  right  abuses  and  child  labour  at 
mining  sites  in  the  “Copperbelt”  region  in  the  DRC.    Hence, 
increasing demand requires also improved knowledge on the social 
dimension  of  raw  material  supply  chains  and  action  to  ensure 
related social impacts are positive. 

the 

associated 

Initiatives for ensuring that 
in  a 
is  sourced 
cobalt 
responsible  way  have  been 
launched 
last 
in 
months.  However,  little  is 
their 
known 
about 
improving 
capability  of 
social  conditions  on  the 
ground.    A  JRC  study 12 
information  on 
gathered 
the 
to 
risk 
battery raw materials using 
indicators 
country-based 
company 
and  mining 
disclosures. 
also 
reviewed 
existing 
the 
initiatives  and  conducted  a 
field  investigation  on  two 
pilot  projects  in  the  DRC. 
A  primary  data  collection 
was performed in the DRC 
Artisanal  and  Small  scale 
Mining  (ASM)  sector  in 
copper  and  cobalt  mining 
sites  in  the  Haut-Katanga 
and Lualaba provinces. 

It 

Picture –  Work in one of the mining 
sites under investigation, where a 
responsible sourcing pilot project has 
been implemented. Photo credit: 
@Nicolas A. Eslava, Afai Consulting BV 

The  study  presents  the  local  conditions  of  the  two  pilot  projects 
compared to the current situation of ASM in the sector at large. It 
assessed  if  the  pilots  improved  local  conditions  in  the  risk 
categories under investigation and it highlighted the challenges and 
opportunities  of  implementing  responsible  sourcing  initiatives  on 
artisanal  mining.  More  information  are  available  at  the  RMIS’ 
sustainability tile13, as well as in the newly developed application 
on battery raw materials14.  

5. A one-stop-shop to Member States legislation in the 
RMIS 

jurisdiction  of 

Many elements of the management of minerals are out of the scope 
of the EU Treaty and the Community legislation, and fall under the 
individual  Member  States. 
sovereign 
the 
(e.g. 
Nevertheless,  an 
competition,  raw  materials,  circular  economy,  trade,  defence, 
environment,  social)  cover  related  aspects,  therefore  structured 
information  is  needed  on  the  national  legislation,  policies  and 
regulatory  solutions  that  supports  Community  and  MS  decision 
investors
potential 
makers, 

increasing  number  of  EU  policies 

Both country-level and sectorial indicators of investments, as well 
the  specificities  of  countries’  mining  legislative  frameworks,  are 
presented in the section ‘Investment and regulatory framework’.   

The ‘Supply’ section presents data on domestic material extraction 
and  production  of  the  main  mining  and  manufacturing  sectors, 
while the section ‘Use’ focuses on consumption.    

The  ‘Trade’  section  allows  users  to  access  knowledge  relative  to 
the  countries’  most  exported/imported  non-food,  non-energy  raw 
materials  (incl.  intermediates)  and  trade  by  relevant  product 
cluster. 

The  ‘Environment’  section  includes  visualizations  of  selected 
indicators  of  environmental  performance  of  relevant  industry 
sectors, such as emissions of greenhouse gases by the raw materials 
sector (Figure 3). 

Several  social  and  policy  indicators  are  displayed  in  the  section 
‘Social & Policy’, such as governance indicators, natural resource 
governance index and country risk.   

Picture - Example of an indicator of trade: Finland’s exports, imports and 
trade balance by relevant product cluster in 2017 (Source: RMIS, EU 
Country Profiles) 

Picture –  Environmental indicator: Greenhouse gas emissions and 
emissions intensity by major raw materials value chain sectors (Source: 
RMIS, EU Country Profiles) 

4.  Responsible  sourcing  of  battery  raw  materials: 
evidence from the field 

Batteries  are  a  strategic  sector  for  the  EU  due  to  their  role  in  the 
transition to low-carbon economies, a primary objective of the von 
der  Leyen  Commission 10.  Demand  has  been  growing  in  recent 
years and is expected to increase even more in the future11. Hence,  
demand will increase for the materials used in the different battery 
technologies  and  competing  applications.  Among  these  materials, 
cobalt,  which  is  extracted  predominantly  in  the  Democratic 
Republic  of  the  Congo  (DRC),  has  been  raising  serious  concern. 
For  example,  NGOs,  media,  and  international  organizations  have 

10 COM(2019) 640 final The European Green Deal  
11 JRC, 2020. Critical materials for strategic technologies and sectors in the 
EU – A foresight study. Authors: Bobba S., Carrara S., Huisman J., Mathieux 
F., Pavel C. Upcoming publication 

12 Mancini, L., Eslava, N., Traverso, M., Mathieux, F. (2020) Responsible 
and sustainable sourcing of batteries raw materials (forthcoming). 
13 https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?page=conflict-minerals-and-conflict-
diamonds-bcae15  
14 https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/apps/bvc/#/  

3 

 
 
 
 
                                                        
 
   
                                                        
and  the public  who  are  interested  in  a  country’s  law  on  minerals.  
Equally,  having  an  overarching  repository  of  national  legislation 
facilitates  broader  international  awareness,  cross-comparisons  and 
improvements.   

Picture – The new MS legislation section in the RMIS 

the  MINLEX  project),  „minerals  policy”  (from 

Towards this end, under the „Policy & Legislation” tile, the RMIS 
provides  in-depth  Member  State  profiles 15 ,  developed  in  co-
operation  with  Member  State  representatives  and  relevant  EU 
projects. These profiles include info on e.g. „minerals permitting” 
(from 
the 
MINGUIDE  project),  non-sworn  English  translations  of  the  most 
relevant  national  laws  and  policy  documents,  as  well  as  a  list  of 
references to the original national sources. As a result, ca. 130-150 
documents are made directly acessible, and many more referenced 
on-line.  

6. RMIS news & development outlook 

 

The  measures  against  the  Coronavirus  (Covide-19) 
currently enforced in Europe – affecting citizens mobility 
and  impeding  all  types  of  gatherings/events  –  do  not 
allow  to  continue  the  oragnisation  of  the  2020  RMIS 
Workshop for the time being. As the situation improves, 
the  official  announcement  will  be  made  through  the 
RMIS news & event section. 

  Revision  of  existing  “raw  materials’  profiles’  and 

inclusion of new materials. 

  Development of additional ‘EU country profiles’. 

 

Inclusion  of  a  brand-new  tile  focused  on  Africa  and 
linked to the forthcoming EU-Africa Platform developed 
by the JRC. 

  Update  of  the  “supply  chain  viewer”  application  with 
data  and information coming from the 2020 assessment 
of critical raw materials. 

  Materials  for  dual-use  applications  in  the  defense  and 
civil  sectors,  including  knowledge  related  to  supply 
chains  for  fuel  cells,  drones,  robotics,  and  3D  printing 
(additive manufacturing). 

This is the newsletter of the Raw Materials Information System (RMIS) of 
the European Commission. It is hosted by the Land Resources Unit of the 
Sustainable Resources Directorate (JRC-D) of the Joint Research Centre 
(JRC) in Ispra, Italy. This newsletter is circulated to a broad selection of 
scientists and stakeholders. Please click here should you wish to be 
removed from the newsletter mailing list. The JRC manages e-mail 
addresses as personal data. 

Feedback: ec-rmis@ec.europa.eu. Follow the JRC and our activities on 
Twitter through @EU_ScienceHub; @EU_H2020.  

For more information, check out the News page in the RMIS. 

15 https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?page=member-states-legislation-
08b84e  

EASME corner 

The Raw Materials sector of EASME – prototypes & 
pilot demonstrations 

Through  our  projects,  the  Raw  Materials  sector  Executive 
Agency  for  Small  and  Medium-sized  Enterprises  (EASME) 
ensures  the  implementation  of  the  Raw  Materials  Initiative,  the 
Strategic  Implementation  Plan  of  the  European  Innovation 
Partnership  (EIP)  and  supports  the  development  of  the  Raw 
Materials Information System (RMIS). 

Also  through  our  projects,  we  contribute  to  the  Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs), in particular to the SDG 12 'Ensure 
sustainable consumption and production patterns'. 

The  figure  below  shows  the  distribution  of  the  demonstration 
sites  for  selected  prototypes  and  pilots  in  the  Raw  Materials 
projects  portfolio,  in  Europe.  Thirty-seven  projects  have  been 
selected in the portfolio, and over 90 sites are located on the map 
(some of them correspond to more than one demonstrator). 

Distribution of the demonstration sites for the highest potential prototypes 
and pilots in Europe 

The dynamic version of this map is available online through the 
EASME  Horizon  2020  Environment  and  Resources  data  hub, 
with the filters 'Demo site' and 'Raw Materials' applied. The data 
hub  gives  information  on  the  projects  and  beneficiaries  funded 
under  Horizon  2020  Societal  Challenge 
'Climate  action, 
environment, resource efficiency & raw materials'. 

A success story 

thematic 

the  Exploration  and  Extraction 

Within 
field, 
UNEXMIN  (Autonomous  Underwater  Explorer  for  Flooded 
Mines)  has  developed  a  robotic  system  to  explore  and  map 
flooded mines in Europe. UX-1 is a 3D mine mapping device that 
dives  into  mines  and  uses non-invasive  methods  to  gather 
valuable geological, mineralogical and spatial information.  UX-1 
is the first of its kind. It is autonomous and can spend much more 
time  underwater  than  human  divers,  and  at  greater  depths,  in 
places human divers cannot safely access. A robotic explorer can 
be  of  an  immense  value  to  the  mining  industry  as  well  as  to 
emergency services. Pilot testing is performed on four sites across 
Europe. 

Contacts: ec-rmis@ec.europa.eu 

© European Union, 2020 – JRC120353 
Catalogue number KJ-BH-20-001-EN-N 
ISSN 2600-0105