Berlin, Brussels, 20 March 2025: EIT Raw Materials and InnoEnergy are awarded a groundbreaking new project designed to strengthen Europe’s supply chains, reduce dependencies, and mitigate disruption risks – the ‘Critical Raw Materials (CRM) `Facility’ – by the European Commission. The CRM Facility is coordinated by EIT RawMaterials and aims to build a resilient and sustainable European supply of critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese through strengthening global partnerships and advancing international projects to diversify Europe’s raw materials supplies. 

Bernd Schäfer, CEO & Managing Director, EIT RawMaterials said: "Securing a stable supply of critical raw materials is not just vital for Europe’s industrial competitiveness—it is essential for European security. As we race toward 2030, we must turn ambition into action. The CRM Facility signals Europe’s commitment to delivering on this challenge, but resilient supply chains can only be achieved through strong global partnerships. At EIT RawMaterials, we are proud to lead this initiative, drawing on our industrial expertise and track record across mining, recycling, and advanced materials. Building on our leadership of the European Raw Materials Alliance, we remain committed to driving the partnerships, investments, and innovations that will strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and global leadership in raw materials.”

A dedicated team of EIT RawMaterials and InnoEnergy will identify and assess CRM projects from partner countries in Africa, Latin America, Central and Southeast Asia, Southeastern Europe, and Greenland to evaluate their strategic value for Europe and its industries and opportunities for win-win partnerships between the projects, host communities, and European industry.

Baptiste Buet, Director of EU Business Unit at EIT InnoEnergy, commented: “A value chain is only as strong as its weakest link. For batteries, securing sustainable raw materials is critical to the success and stability of a European industry that is rapidly developing. While the development of domestic EU mining, refining, and recycling is critical, the CRM Facility signals that Europe is serious about safeguarding access to global resources for battery cell manufacturers. InnoEnergy will leverage its track record as the most active early-stage cleantech investor and mobilise the industrial ecosystem we have been building through the European Battery Alliance to ensure meaningful partnerships are built through the CRM Facility.”

The CRM Facility mandate aims to bring together European industry with partners to develop mid-to-downstream mineral value chains further in partner countries. Additionally, the Facility will develop and deliver specialised training and skill-building programmes to equip professionals with the necessary expertise in CRM management, operations, and sustainable practices.

Media Contact

Elisabeth Ippel
Communications Manager, EIT RawMaterials 
elisabeth.ippel@eitrawmaterials.eu

Sara Irureta 
Marketing & Communications Manager, EIT InnoEnergy
sara.irureta@innoenergy.com

About EIT RawMaterials

EIT RawMaterials is the largest and most active raw materials knowledge and innovation network globally, comprising over 300 partner organisations across the entire raw materials value chain. EIT RawMaterials demonstrates its dedication to advancing and supporting a circular economy in Europe by fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices. Mandated by the European Commission, EIT RawMaterials leads the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA), which includes more than 750 members and an advanced project pipeline of over 40 projects, representing an investment potential of more than €25 billion.

Since its founding, EIT RawMaterials has deployed over €600 million in direct strategic funding to support more than 800 projects and start-ups. These initiatives, including ERMA projects, have leveraged additional funding of €5 billion from external sources, creating a cumulative impact of more than €5.5 billion in critical and strategic raw materials projects, technologies, and programmes across Europe and beyond.

Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, EIT RawMaterials was established in 2015 to advance Europe’s transition to a sustainable economy. Its mission is to secure a sustainable supply of raw materials for Europe, close material loops, and design innovative product solutions, with the goal to position raw materials as a strategic strength for Europe through innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.

About InnoEnergy

EIT InnoEnergy operates at the center of the energy transition and is industrializing clean tech innovation. It brings the technology, business model innovation and skills required to accelerate the green deal, progress towards Europe’s decarbonisation and re-industrialisation goals, whilst also improving energy security. Recognised as Europe’s top Cleantech and Blue Economy venture capital firm and investor in 2023 by Startup Genome, one of Europe’s top 10 most active deeptech investors by Sifted in 2023 and the most active investor in the energy sector in 2022 by Pitchbook, InnoEnergy backs innovations across a range of areas. These include energy storage, transport and mobility, renewables, energy efficiency, hard to abate industries, smart grids and sustainable buildings and cities.

InnoEnergy has a portfolio of more than 200 companies, which are estimated to generate €110 billion in revenue and save 2.1G tonnes of CO2e accumulatively by 2030. Collectively, these companies have raised more than €30 billion in investment to date. InnoEnergy is the driving force behind three strategic European initiatives which include the European Battery Alliance (EBA), the European Green Hydrogen Acceleration Center (EGHAC) and the European Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance (ESIA). InnoEnergy was established in 2010 and is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. Since its inception, InnoEnergy has screened more than 7,000 start-ups, launched more than 300 products to market and overseen its portfolio companies filing 370+ patents. Today, InnoEnergy has a trusted ecosystem of 1200+ partners and 39 shareholders and a 200+ strong team with offices across Europe and in Boston, US. For more information, visit innoenergy.com.