Setting a new roadmap for Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials and Batteries – a vital action for a carbon-neutral future

Kyiv, Ukraine, 13 July 2021 – Today, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, on behalf of the European Union, and Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, on behalf of Ukraine, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Strategic Partnership on Critical Raw Materials and Batteries. This cooperation aims to foster closer integration of critical raw materials and battery value chains, with mutual benefits. The EU allocated an additional EUR 750,000 for technical assistance to support capacity building in raw materials and batteries.

I welcome Ukraine’s willingness to … engage with us on the EU’s flagship strategy, the European Green Deal – in particular on clean game-changing technologies, such as batteries and the resources they need.

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, European Commission

The MoU sets the political framework with a roadmap of initial actions to advance the goals of the partnership defined under the three MoU workstreams:

  • Harmonisation of UA and EU regulatory mining frameworks and application of the sustainable mining principles.
  • Integration of (critical) raw materials and battery value chains by facilitating joint venture projects and business opportunities.
  • Closer collaboration in Research & Innovation along critical raw materials and batteries value chains utilising Horizon Europe and other EU programmes relating to raw materials and batteries.

Fostering cooperation for decarbonisation and digitalisation of critical raw materials value chains and batteries

The European Union and Ukraine have set up a list of initial actions to facilitate the cooperation:

  • Develop a low carbon strategy and roadmap to decarbonise raw materials mining, extraction and processing in Ukraine;
  • Strengthen sustainable and responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials and batteries in Ukraine;
  • Digitalise and strengthen data management of Ukrainian mineral resources/reserves;
  • Enhance the use of Earth-observation programmes and remote sensing for resource exploration, operations and post-closure environmental management;
  • Identify and conduct joint-venture projects for EU and Ukrainian industrial and investment actors.

EIT RawMaterials and the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) will bring extensive knowledge in providing a collaborative environment for disruptive and breakthrough innovations across the raw materials value chain, supporting sustainable practice and securing investment for projects with high innovation potential.

ERMA welcomes partners from Ukraine to enhance cooperation on critical raw materials

Among the list of actions, the European Union and Ukraine will identify and conduct joint-venture projects for industrial and investment actors. The integration of sustainable raw materials and battery value chains will not happen on its own, and the role of a strong network and collaboration will be crucial in this process.

The partners will promote active participation among their respective stakeholders in the European industrial alliances, notably the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) and the European Battery Alliance, as platforms to collaborate and develop investment projects.

This partnership will be an open one, and I strongly encourage all relevant stakeholders to take part – for example, by joining the industrial alliances, the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) and the European Battery Alliance.

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, European Commission

The European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA), coordinated and managed by EIT RawMaterials, was established in 2020 with the vision to secure access to critical and strategic raw materials, advanced materials, and processing know-how for EU Industrial Ecosystems. The Alliance involves all relevant stakeholders, including industrial actors along the value chain, Member States and regions, trade unions, civil society, research and technology organisations, investors and NGOs.

Today, we are happy to welcome the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine as a new member of ERMA!

I warmly welcome the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine as a new member of the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA). Today marks an important milestone in the cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine on raw materials and batteries, vital for decarbonising our economies. ERMA will play a key role in facilitating closer collaboration and supporting investment projects for sustainable development along the entire value chain. I am looking forward to working with the new member of our Alliance to make this happen!

Bernd Schäfer, CEO and Managing Director at EIT RawMaterials

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