Lithium, cobalt, graphite and germanium – these are just a few of the natural resources required for the transition to green energy. The European Union mines very little of these resources on its own territory and is therefore reliant on imports from China, Africa and South America. However, this is to change by 2030. The EU has set itself an ambitious goal: to secure 15% of so-called “critical natural resources” from recycling and establish a fundamental approach of re-using materials. Experts consider this idea to be extremely aspirational, as the necessary technologies are still at an early stage.