Belgium: Eurogypsum, the European federation of national associations of producers of gypsum products, is lobbying for building materials such as gypsum to be included in a list of critical and strategic raw materials as part of the European Union’s (EU) proposed Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The organisation welcomes the CRMA but wants it to also consider the energy renovation of the building stock in addition to raw earth minerals such as those required to build batteries. It has suggested either amending the proposed act to include certain building materials as strategic or introducing a new category of ‘essential’ raw materials, with streamlined permitting processes and access to finance.
It noted that Europe was, in principle, self sufficient in gypsum due to abundant deposits. However, it said that, “increasing difficulties in the access to extractive permits, combined with the foreseen reduction of alternative gypsum sources from the flue gas desulphurisation of coal power plants in the energy transition, are raising serious concerns about the future supply of this mineral essential for the construction and renovation of buildings.”
The CRMA was originally announced by EU President Ursula von der Leyen in September 2022 before being formally proposed in March 2023. It is now being considered by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
