Go to content
TemaNord 2025:534
Reducing and re-using critical raw materials in the Nordics
Evaluation of potential measures for increased resource efficiency and waste prevention
Reducing and re-using critical raw materials in the Nordics
About this publication
PDF
Summary
Sammendrag
1. Introduction
1.1 Critical raw materials
1.2 Waste prevention, re-use and substitution
1.2.1 Political instruments for increasing waste prevention
1.3 Waste reduction as an EU strategy for better CRM-resource efficiency
1.3.1 Other EU regulations that impact CRM waste reduction policies
2. Measures for better CRM-resource efficiency in the Nordics
2.1 Measures for waste prevention
2.1.1 Reduced use of helium for entertainment purposes
2.1.2 Reduced use of aluminium for packaging purposes
2.1.3 Eliminate the use of coke in steel production
2.1.4 Adopt alternative technology for the primary production of aluminium that eliminates the need for fluorine and anode graphite
2.1.5 Reduced use of copper for chemicals
2.1.6 Reduced use of rare earth elements (REE) for pigment, ceramic products and glass production
2.1.7 Reduced use of CRMs for fireworks
2.1.8 Reduced use of critical raw materials in small electronics in consumer products
2.1.9 Increase the number of CRMs and overall extraction efficiency from ore mined in the Nordic region.
2.2 Measures for re-use and repair
2.2.1 Assess the possibility of reusing optical cables with CRM content
2.2.2 Reusing magnets in electric motors, pumps and “dynamos”
2.2.3 Reusing CRM components in discarded EE products
2.2.4 Consider increased use of second-hand products or assisted repair service in insurance settlement cases
3. Conclusion
Abbreviations
Appendix