gave Dependence on foreign countries is a fundamental problem for the Italian industry, especially in the context of Strategically important raw materials. Currently, Italian supply chains are not adequately prepared to guarantee the country’s self-sufficiency in this area. Although it was approved recently. Crucial Raw Materials Ordinance aligning Italy with the goals of Critical Raw Materials Act of the European Union Infrastructure And Resources It is necessary to make the national industry independent.
To better understand the effects of Items Identifying the financial and strategic resources necessary to reduce dependence on Italian strategic sectors, and on third countries, is mandated by Iron. European House – Ambrosity (tah) to study in depth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate How much to invest? To achieve and identify self-sufficiency in the medium term Strategy To speed up this process.
In them Important solutions Three main directions emerge as suggested by the study:
- National and European supply chain development: Invest in the internal supply chain to ensure the availability of key raw materials directly on Italian and EU soil.
- Restoration of the Italian presence in Africa: Fostering strategic partnerships in the resource-rich continent of Africa to diversify sources of supply.
- Strengthening the circular economy: Increasing the capabilities of Recycling e Reuse Pre-existing resources, reducing dependence on imports and promoting sustainability.
to do He created one The road map Based on the analysis of approx 50 Official Documentsincluding reports from European Commission And of The World Bank. The roadmap, presented in Rome on November 4, provides a detailed action plan aimed at strengthening Italian autonomy in the key raw materials sector and positioning Italy as a leader in a common European strategy. .
Importance of raw materials critical to Italian economy and security
gave Liberation strategy Italy’s importance in raw materials begins with an accurate analysis of the economic weight of these resources. According to estimates by Do-IrenThe main raw material, essential for several industrial sectors, affects Italian industrial production for a value of around 690 billion euros. These data indicate how much the entire national economy and competitiveness depends on stable and secure access to these resources. As Iron’s president highlighted, Luca del FibroAs much as 32% of Italian GDP is linked to the development and access to these resources, which are important not only for industrial competitiveness but also for national security.
In Europe, Italy and other member states face a major challenge: investment in the key raw materials sector is still insufficient compared to competing countries. Europe as a whole currently has 2.7 billion euros allocated, which is significantly less than the 14.7 billion euros invested in the same sector by China. This investment disparity translates into a significant dependence on Chinese supplies, from which the EU imports around 56% of its key raw materials.
A recent report by SprayPublished last July, it was revealed that Italy extracts only 2 of the 17 main raw materials in the country: feldspar and fluorspar. These materials are used primarily for the production of ceramics, steel and aluminum, but only contribute to the most advanced technology and energy sectors, such as robotics and aerospace. For example, in 2022 Italy had to import 14.5 billion euros worth of gallium and indium for robotics, and 1.4 billion euros for semiconductors. In the aerospace sector too, Italy has bought 13 billion euros worth of tungsten from abroad.
Valerio de MollyTeha’s managing partner and CEO highlighted how a A strategic investment of 1.2 billion euros This could represent a step forward in reducing Italy’s dependence on imports of key raw materials. With this intervention, Italy could reduce its vulnerability by almost a third and increase the value of secondary raw materials by 6 billion euros by 2040. Recovery and reuse of material already existing in the area, thus also contributing Durability And to do Circulation of the economy.
Recovery of Italian mineral resources, an integrated strategy
Over the past 150 years, Italy has seen approx. 3,016 mining sitesbut only today 94 One of them is active discount. This situation represents a major critical issue for the country, which needs to be addressed. Mining skills Update and a national research plan. According to Ambrosity’s report, in the short and medium term, the priority should be rebuilding mining skills and improving the capacity of still active mining sites. The aim is to illustrate the real impact that reserves in the area could have on Italy’s ability to reduce its dependence on imports of key raw materials.
In particular, Italy has strategic reserves such as important raw materials. Cobalt And Copper. Major deposits of cobalt are found. Sardinia e Piedmont; In the latter region, the Punta Corna site is considered to be of strategic importance at the European level. As for copper, there are substantial deposits in the Ligurian-Emilian Apennines as well as in the Western Alps and Sardinia. Additionally, substantial deposits of lithium are located near Lake Bracciano in Lazio. However, many of these sectors have been abandoned for decades and require significant investment to become productive again, thus giving the country an opportunity to increase its self-sufficiency.
Refining, a major challenge
Apart from the reactivation of extraction, Teha Iron highlighted the need to establish itself in the refining sector. gave Critical Raw Materials Act The European Union has established that by 2030, at least 40% of consumption of key raw materials should be met by refining within Europe. However, at the moment, the EU has capacities that meet only 5% of the overall needs. This limitation represents a huge challenge, but also an opportunity for Italy, which can take advantage of its industrial capabilities in the chemical-physical treatment of materials such as lithium. Investments in this direction will allow the country to create an integrated and attractive supply chain for stakeholders, improving the competitiveness and security of national supply.
International partnership, cooperation with African countries
It represents a fundamental factor in guaranteeing security in the supply of critical raw materials. International partnership. According to an analysis by Teha-Iren, a strategic step in this direction would be to develop new collaborations with i. African countriesA continent rich in natural resources that are fundamental to many industries such as technology and energy. Africa, in fact, holds a vast array of strategic raw materials essential to global industry, including cobalt, lithium, rare earths and other key minerals. However, these resources are currently mainly exploited by countries outside the continent, e.g Chinawhich has dominant control over the refining and processing of these materials.
Cooperation with African countries can be expanded. Sources of supply For Italian industry, reducing dependence on foreign supplies and creating a more stable and diversified market for raw materials. A strategic alliance in this area will not only ensure safer and more consistent supply but also promote greater sustainability of supply chains. Furthermore, by strengthening relations with African countries, Italy can become a reference trading partner, supporting the economic development of the continent and creating mutually beneficial trade.
The Road to Raw Material Independence: Collaboration and the Circular Economy
Africa plays an important role in the global market for critical raw materials, as more than 90% of the world’s strategic platinum group material reserves and 56% of cobalt come from the continent. In particular, the mining industry is important to many African economies. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, mining contributes about 47 percent of national GDP, while Zambia e Namibia This is 17% and 11% of the gross domestic product respectively. However, despite being rich in natural resources, much of Africa’s extraction is processed and refined in China, limiting the continent’s productive independence and leaving it in a state of dependency.
To respond to this challenge, the roadmap proposed by Teha-Iren highlights the need to restart investment in key raw materials. Africawhich has decreased by 70% in the last ten years. In addition to renewed financial commitment, it is important to promote industrial and infrastructural development on African soil, allowing the continent to fully benefit from its resources. In this context, the Mattei project can represent an effective tool for strengthening cooperation. Italy, The European Union e AfricaAs Ambrosetti suggests, creating a model of sustainable cooperation that promotes local development and African independence.
The role of the circular economy in Italy
In parallel with cooperation with Africa, Italy should focus on another key strategy to reduce its dependence on imports of key raw materials: promoting the circular economy. gave Critical Raw Materials Act The European Union has set a recycling target of 25% by 2030, an ambitious percentage that requires significant improvements in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management systems. Currently, around half of the WEEE flow in Europe escapes formal collection systems, often ending up in illegal exports or non-compliant disposal. This inefficient system not only generates economic losses of around 10 billion euros, but also represents a waste of potentially renewable resources.
In Italy, the iron company is already active in the recycling sector with the RigeneRare Observatory and a new plant in Valdarno dedicated to the treatment of WEEE, which is about to open. Teha-Iren’s roadmap highlights the importance of developing domestic supply chains to support the energy transition, indicating that demand for Italian raw materials will increase by 320% in the coming years. Electronic waste, once properly recycled, can become a valuable resource to meet this growing demand, reducing the need to source new raw materials and contributing to environmental sustainability. will be taken.
