This course provides a systemic understanding of CRMs and equips you with tools and strategies for managing them in a sustainable way. The course covers the entire raw materials’ value chain, which will help you see what actions can be taken at every stage and how you can make informed decisions, and contribute to and benefit from a more sustainable approach to CRMs, regardless of your professional or academic background. Key topics include access to raw materials, environmental and social impacts, geopolitical factors, market dynamics, economics, supply chains, global trends in CRM use, and resource efficiency. You can choose from three different tracks that cover possible solutions from a technical, […]

The IRTC project, coordinated by ESM Foundation, has published a joint scientific paper by leading international experts on the determination of material criticality. The paper reviews existing criticality assessment methods with the aim of analyzing them, detecting common flaws and suggesting best practices. The consortium currently conducts research on how criticality can be mitigated using circular economy inspired measures, preparing another joint scientific paper. The IRTC project will now enter its second phase “IRTC-Business”, with the long-term goal to develop guidance for companies concerning their exposure to criticality and suitable mitigation measures.

The EIT Raw Materials Week, edition 2019, was a memorable event where scientific experts, industry leaders and policymakers gathered to discuss raw materials and their crucial role for the future – especially given the challenges that come with the necessary green energy transition. Watch this video to get an impression of last year’s EIT Raw Materials Week – the next one will take place in November 2020.

Armin Reller, who has been professor for resources strategies at the University of Augsburg and ESM Board Member (since 2012), has received the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Order of Merit of Germany), the most important decoration awarded by the country. The Bavarian environment minister, Thorsten Glauber, praised Reller at the ceremony as someone who thinks out of the box, has a visionary look into the future and goes new ways. As one of the first scientists of Germany, Glauber says, Reller recognized we need innovative approaches for a sustainable management of our finite resources. He did path-breaking research work. Armin Reller has been engaged for the environment and resources for a long time […]