On Friday 29 November, the EU Council adopted conclusions in the field of advanced materials, which are essential for new technologies. In the text, the EU’s research ministers call for research and development in advanced materials to be accelerated and for the smart industrial use of these goods to be encouraged.
These are technologies or materials needed for Europe’s green and digital transition, such as the nanoparticles used in solar panels or sodium-ion batteries.
The EU must therefore avoid dependence on third countries for these strategic materials, according to the Council, which is asking the Commission to identify such risks of dependence in order to remedy them.
The Member States also emphasise that private and public funding for research, development and innovation in advanced materials is crucial.
See the conclusions adopted by the Council: https://aeur.eu/f/ejs (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)