Iren-Tha: 2.6 Mld Investments for British First Subjects
Italy Could Meet Two-Thirds of Critical Raw Material Needs Through Recycling Investment
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Strategic Report Highlights Recycling Potential
Italy has the potential to cover up to 66% of its demand for critical raw materials with a €2.6 billion investment in bolstering its recycling infrastructure, according to a new strategic report presented at Ecomondo in Rimini. The report, titled “The geopolitics of Critical Raw Materials: the opportunities of the mattei Plan and urban mining for industrial competitiveness in Italy,” was created by Teha Group for Iren.
The analysis underscores the growing importance of securing access to these materials, with global demand already increasing by 11% compared to 2021 and projected to rise another 34% by 2030. the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers could further increase demand by an additional 10%.
WEEE Tax Concerns and Collection challenges
The report also warns of potential financial burdens stemming from proposed European legislation. The introduction of a new “WEEE tax” – relating to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment – could cost Italy an estimated €2.6 billion annually due to insufficient collection and processing capacity. Currently, Italy collects approximately 30% of its WEEE.
Luca Dal Fabbro, President of Iren, emphasized the economic reliance on these materials, stating that 31% of ItalyS GDP is directly or indirectly dependent on critical raw materials. He called for more effective and efficient consortiums to improve WEEE collection rates.
Iren Leads in Critical Raw Material Recovery
Iren is positioned as a leader in the field, having initiated work on advanced recovery systems three years ago, predating both European and national institutional efforts. The company is considered among the most advanced in Europe for recovering critical raw materials.
Economic Impact of Critical Raw Materials
Valerio De Molli, CEO of The European House – Ambrosetti, highlighted the substantial economic value at stake. Critical raw materials contribute €4 trillion in added value to the European economy, representing 22% of Europe’s GDP.For Italy, this figure is the largest within Europe, underscoring the urgency of proactive policy measures.