Erion, the largest Italian system for the management of waste associated with electronic products and the valorisation of the raw materials within it, has commissioned the study “The evolving scenarios of critical raw materials and the recycling of technology products as a strategic lever to reduce supply risks for Italy” carried out by The European House – Ambrosetti. In order for the recycling of technological products to become a strategic lever to reduce supply risks for Italy, it is necessary to act on 3 levels: regulations, volumes and plants equipment, with the ultimate goal of developing local supply chains.
The study underlines that critical raw materials are characterised by high economic importance and high supply risk. They are also relevant to multiple industrial ecosystems: in Italy, about 564 billion euro enter industrial production (equal to about one-third of the 2021 Italian Gdp). The reference scenario of critical raw materials sees a concentration of production where China is today the world’s main supplier for 66 percent of critical raw materials.
Technological products, if properly recovered and recycled, make it possible to reduce dependence on critical raw materials, enabling economic, social and environmental benefits. In order for the recycling of technological products to become a strategic lever to reduce supply risks for Italy, it is necessary to act on 3 levels: regulations, volumes and plants equipment, with the ultimate goal of developing local supply chains.
