EU-funded rare earth research, development, and innovation projects REMHub and PERMANET are advancing critical expertise and technologies. Both operate across the entire value chain, from exploration and beneficiation to advanced recovery and recycling, strengthening Europe’s strategic sovereignty. Together, the projects represent more than 50 organizations and hundreds of rare earth experts across Europe, forming a strong expert and innovation network.
In October 2025, PERMANET invited REMHub to an onboarding and alignment session, marking another step forward toward a structured, long-term collaboration. Leveraging complementary expertise for example in policy analysis, market development, and stakeholder engagement, the two projects aim to provide a unified and influential contribution to building Europe’s rare earth ecosystem.
Strengthening the ecosystem paves the way for scaling production and accelerating recycling efforts throughout Europe. However, achieving this requires not only technologies but also coordinated policy actions. On the supply side, this includes for example incentives for R&D, industrial investment, and support for scaling new processing and recycling technologies.
On the demand side, both projects share a key priority: ensuring Europe develops viable, competitive markets for rare earths and permanent magnets sourced within the region. This is important especially as rare earth market is far from a level playing field. Achieving this may require policy instruments such as long-term offtake agreements, quotas, or procurement rules that prioritize responsibly sourced European rare earths.
The challenge lies in ensuring these tools are precisely calibrated so they remain effective without imposing unnecessary burdens. This process should be informed by clear insights, such as technology readiness levels, sustainability metrics, and industry feedback, to maintain relevance and impact.
Equally important is timing. Introducing and adapting policy tools at the right moments requires a well-defined, shared roadmap to address rare earth challenges effectively. For this reason, both projects recognize the need to develop a European roadmap for the magnet sector rare earth elements. Such a roadmap would strengthen communication between research, industry, and funding bodies, and provide actionable guidance for policymakers, enabling coordinated action across the entire value chain.
Ultimately, REMHub and PERMANET share a common ambition: to foster an ecosystem that enables informed, adaptive, and forward-looking policy design.