Strategic Impact Group Networks (SIGNs)
REE Expert Forum, Stuttgart (29–30 Oct), at Mercedes Benz Museum
Location: Europe-wide
Supported by: EIT RawMaterials
At EIT RawMaterials, we believe that fostering collaboration between key stakeholders is fundamental to boosting European sovereignty and competitiveness. To strengthen and streamline this collaboration, the new SIGNs structure divides the network into four thematic groups to focus efforts on Europe’s most critical raw materials challenges:
- Rare Earths and Magnets
- Battery Materials
- Circular and Green Metals
- Mining & Processing Technologies
Each network is designed to address four critical pillars essential to strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness: skills shortages, innovation gaps, investment shortfalls, and regulatory challenges.
The Battery Materials and Rare Earths & Magnets SIGNs were launched at the Expert Forum earlier this year, and the other SIGNs are set to launch in November 2025 and February 2026.
Through regular high-level events and expert exchanges, the first two SIGNs are already bridging Europe’s supply, innovation and investment gaps. They have convened multiple gatherings and partner workshops, established cross-sector working groups, and built strong momentum across research organisations, industry, and academia—extending their impact to active engagement with the European Commission.
REE Expert Forum, Stuttgart (29–30 Oct), participants received a tour at the Mercedes Museum
SIGNs Impact so far
Rare Earth Elements (REE) SIGN
- 7 webinars, average 200 participants each webinar .
- Webinar on 23 Oct 2025: “Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Applications in the Automotive Sector” featured ZF, VDA, and IFP Energies Nouvelles.
- REE Expert Forum, Stuttgart (29–30 Oct): over 200 delegates, participants including three European Commission DGs
- Rare Earths Policy Paper: “SIGN Action Plan for Building a European Rare Earth and Magnet Value Chain” to be submitted to the Commission
Battery Materials SIGN
- Webinar attracted 400 participants, with speakers from Stellantis, Hydrovolt, Cylib, and Umicore.
- Discussions focused on Europe’s competitiveness in refining and recycling black mass and the urgent need for public investment.
- 80% of participants rated European recycling as “critically important”.
- EIT RawMaterials also represented the network with a booth at Li-ion Battery Europe (3–4 Nov, Barcelona), strengthening ties across the European battery value chain.
Circular & Green Metals SIGN
- Expert Forum on 25 November in Düsseldorf, exploration on how the EU Circular Economy Act will reshape the metals industry, with panels on design for recycling, technology readiness, and circular innovation challenges, as well as a World Cafe for working group discussions to take place .
- Keynote: Director Ciobanu-Dordea, DG Environment with panelists from Euromines, European Aluminium, International Copper Association, ESTEP, KTH, Lukasiewicz GIT, RWTH Aachen University, VITO and Recycling Europe.
Mining & Processing Technologies SIGN
- Launching 21–23 February in Krakow at the Expert Forum focusing on innovation, ESG performance, and improving public acceptance of mining in Europe to meet the CRMA 10% domestic sourcing benchmark. More details out soon.
To learn more about the SIGNs initiative, contact us at signs@eitrawmaterials.eu.
