From 13 to 15 May 2025, the SOLVOMET research group at KU Leuven took part in the 7th EIT RawMaterials Summit in Brussels, which gathered over 1,000 stakeholders from across the raw materials value chain. Organised under the theme “The Race to 2030”, the event addressed some of the most pressing issues facing Europe’s raw materials sector, from critical supply risks to the urgent need for industrial innovation and circularity.
With geopolitical tensions and global competition for resources intensifying, the summit served as a timely forum for dialogue between industry leaders, researchers, EU policymakers, and innovation-driven SMEs. The focus was clear: Europe must accelerate its efforts to secure critical raw material (CRM) supply chains, diversify strategic partnerships, and push forward on the path to a net-zero economy.
Representing KU Leuven, researchers from SOLVOMET engaged in a variety of discussions and networking sessions. These interactions were especially valuable in light of KU Leuven’s key role in the Horizon Europe HEPHAESTUS project, which supports the development of next-generation technologies for sustainable metallurgy and raw materials processing.
The summit also highlighted new European Commission-backed initiatives to strengthen international CRM partnerships. EIT RawMaterials and EIT InnoEnergy presented their efforts under the newly launched CRM Facility, designed to support matchmaking between European companies and partner countries outside EU such as Chile and Uzbekistan.
Participants attended panel discussions on topics such as:
• Funding breakthrough innovation and industrial-scale adoption
• ESG standards and their current interpretation in European policy debates
• Reducing Europe’s regulatory burdens to foster investment in local value chains
• Building skills for a resilient raw materials workforce
The event also highlighted the growing interest in shaping public perception of raw materials through outreach and storytelling, an effort that aligns closely with the HEPHAESTUS project’s ambition to engage broader society in the transition to cleaner and more circular industry.
Although the summit revealed some gaps between industry expectations and policy realities, it confirmed the critical importance of continued dialogue, honest reflection, and targeted action. KU Leuven, through its SOLVOMET and SIM² teams, will remain an active contributor to this ongoing conversation, both within the EIT RawMaterials community and through its work in HEPHAESTUS and beyond.
