The energy transition is leading to the very rapid development and innovation of green technologies such as photovoltaic modules, electric cars and related infrastructure, wind turbines, and electrolyzers. This transition presents challenges related to the growing demand for Raw Materials (RMs) essential for sustainable energy technologies, for which Europe is almost completely dependent on imports, resulting in supply risks. As a response, the European Commission has taken some measures to stabilize the supply of MPs, identifying Critical Raw Materials (CCMs) and, more recently, Strategic Raw Materials (SPMs) essential for the dual transition to climate and digital sustainability by 2030.

Several regulations have been proposed that aim to ensure safe and sustainable access to MPCs, the promotion of EU-made technology products, and improving the sustainability of batteries and their waste. In this panorama, RSE expanded the analysis on MPCs and MPSs already begun in previous years, posing a special focus on those used in the main technologies for the energy transition; Europe is completely dependent on non-EU countries for MPCs used in electrolyzers, power electronics and electric motors, while it partially contributes to the supply of Ga, Si, In, Ge used in photovoltaic technologies.

The report included an update of Italian mining sites in which it was pointed out that Italy is particularly rich in abandoned mines. The focus was on active, as well as abandoned mines that could potentially be reactivated for the extraction of MPCs, such as fluorspar that is mined in Lazio and could also be grown in the Silius mine where some rare earths are present too. The activity continued with an in-depth study of sources of supply alternative to traditional mining, such as recovery from urban mines, which although promising needs the development of more efficient recycling methodologies. Activities then focused on studying the chemistry and processes of lithium extraction from geothermal brines.

The results show that in Italy and Europe the supply of Li from geothermal fluids is encouraging, due to the presence of geothermal brines very rich in this element. In the report, the RSE analysis process applied on some geothermal brines sampled in the Tuscany Region is presented: this process allowed to precisely characterize the content not only of Li but also of other MPCs (e.g., B, W). Finally, the report presented the main Li extraction and refining technologies used to date. Again, the need emerged to optimize these processes so as to improve their extraction yield and purity and make them greener.

The Report is available on the Italian site