A secure supply of raw materials is a European priority that extends beyond country borders and national policies. Recent European initiatives have pioneered the development of an EU strategy on raw materials emphasizing the concept of the “added value chain”, which includes actions aiming to ensure the fair and sustainable supply of raw materials from international markets, promoting international cooperation with developed and developing countries.

As part of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Programme for Research & Innovation, the 36-months project INTRAW aims to map best practices and develop new cooperation opportunities related to raw materials between the EU and technologically advanced countries in response to similar global challenges. INTRAW addresses issues such as: raw materials policies and strategies; joint educational and skills programmes; licensing and permitting procedures, royalties and tax policies; data reporting systems; exploration, extraction, processing and recycling practices; and management and substitution of critical raw materials. The outcome of the mapping and knowledge transfer activities that are conducted in the first two years of the project will be used as a baseline to set up and launch the European Union’s International Observatory for Raw Materials as a permanent raw materials knowledge body.

The conveners invite papers addressing experiences and practices on international cooperation on raw materials topics, highlighting how the disseminations of best practices in research and innovation, education and outreach and industry and trade contribute for a sustainable access and supply of raw materials across countries.