Circular Economy Act: Securing Raw Material Supply and Closing the Loop for Permanent Materials

The CCMI supplementary opinion to NAT/1002 on the Circular Economy Act will examine how the Act can strengthen Europe’s supply of raw materials, including critical raw materials, and improve the single market for waste and secondary raw materials. Building on CCMI’s previous work on the Critical Raw Materials Act, RESourceEU and permanent materials, it will complement NAT’s broader examination by focusing on industrial needs, resource recovery and high-quality recycling.

Particular attention will be given to permanent materials: glass, aluminium and steel, which can be recycled repeatedly while retaining their inherent properties. The opinion will advocate explicit recognition of their specific characteristics and appropriately differentiated treatment in the Act, ensuring that circularity strengthens Europe’s industrial capacity, resource security and competitiveness while delivering environmental benefits and quality employment.