Promoting the circular economy through the recovery of critical raw materials

Accelerating the transition to a circular economy by recovering critical and strategic raw materials from secondary sources was the focus of the sixth annual conference of the Italian Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ICESP).

Founded six years ago as part of the similar European initiative (ECESP), ICESP brings together over 800 experts from about 300 entities, including institutions, companies, associations, researchers, and civil society.

Circular economy: special attention to critical raw materials

In his opening remarks, ENEA President Gilberto Dialuce highlighted the contribution of ICESP, launched by ENEA in 2018, to Italy's transition towards a circular economy.

ENEA has extensive interdisciplinary expertise in the circular economy, covering the entire resource implementation chain.

At the national level, it supports various ministries and contributes to the National Critical Raw Materials Table and the Italian Phosphorus Platform, as well as participating in European projects like the European Raw Materials Alliance.

Roberto Morabito, ICESP President and Director of the ENEA Department of Sustainability, Circularity, and Adaptation to Climate Change of Production and Territorial Systems, noted the importance of ICESP as a forum for discussion and elaboration on priority issues for Italy's circular transition, with particular attention to critical raw materials. These materials are crucial for both the EU and Italy, a country deficient in such resources and dependent on imports.

Morabito further emphasized the growing attention in Italy on this issue, highlighted by its inclusion in the National Strategy for the Circular Economy and the creation of the critical raw materials table, focusing on ecodesign and urban mining, topics already discussed by ICESP in 2023.

Circular economy: the conference presented perspectives from ministries, businesses, and young people

The conference featured perspectives from ministries, businesses, and young people, and ICESP working groups shared the results of their annual activities.

Claudia Brunori, Deputy Director of the Circular Economy Department at ENEA, explained that ecological transition and digitalization imply increased use of critical raw materials, with a projected rise in demand for rare earth elements and lithium by 2030.

She concluded by emphasizing the need for innovative plants and technologies for the sustainable recycling of critical raw materials, along with enabling policies and a circular economy approach that includes ecodesign, use, reuse, and the valorization of end-of-life products.