The race to raw materials is a reality, and NATO responds with a precise strategy. In fact, the alliance made public on 11 December a list of 12 critical raw materials, from aluminum to tungsten, considered fundamental for its defense industry.
This move fits into a wider strategy once a Ensure the safety of supply chainsin a geopolitical context characterized by growing tensions and by the competition for access to strategic resources.
By critical raw materials we mean those non -food and non -energetic whose supply problems, of political, commercial and environmental nature, make a change of economic strategy and a strong technological update priority. (…) Most of the criticism raw materials are practically 100% imported from outside Europe and are produced in a few countries, in many cases unstable from a geopolitical point of view, which determine the market globally. These are fundamental raw materials for the energy transition, for electric mobility, for the digital transition and defense; It is therefore necessary to guarantee the correct and safe supply of these critical raw materials, which can strongly impact the entire ecological transition in general. (AENEAS)
The list, drawn up by Born Industrial Advisory Group (Niag), includes:
The publication of this list is part of a wider strategic plan of NATO, approved by the defense ministers in June 2024, aimed at strengthening and protecting its supply chains and avoiding interruptions that could compromise the production of military equipment and the ability to defense the alliance.
This Roadmap for the safety of the critical supply chain for the defense of the alliance is concentrated on five lines of action:
The geopolitical context and the importance of critical raw materials
The war in Ukraine, tensions with China and instability in different areas of the world have highlighted the fragility of global supply chains. The dependence on a limited number of suppliers, often concentrated in politically unstable regions, represents a risk to national security of NATO member countries.
In this scenario, attention focuses on critical raw materials, or those materials which, in addition to being essential for key sectors such as defense, energy and electronics, have a high risk of supply. The competition for these resources becomes more and more intense, with the great world powers committed to guaranteeing access to these strategic materials.
The commitment of the European Union and Italy
The European Union has recognized the strategic importance of critical raw materials and launched several initiatives to deal with its challenges:
Italy is also significantly investing in the sector of critical raw materials. The government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Safety (Mase), has recently launched a notice (31 December 2024) for the presentation of research, development and technological innovation projects concerning the entire chain of the value of critical raw materials (MPC) and strategic raw materials (MPS).
This notice, financed in the context of “Mission Innovation 2.0“, It provides 21 million euros to finance Projects concerning mining extraction, urban mining, eco-planning and transformation of critical raw materials. The goal is to support the development of innovative technologies to increase efficiency in the use of critical raw materials, reduce dependence on foreign sources, Promote the circular economy and contribute to the decarbonisation of the energy system. Applications for contribution can be submitted from February 3 to March 18, 2025.