The adoption of the EU Steel and Metals Action Plan on 19 March sends a strong signal for competitiveness, decarbonisation, and strategic autonomy in material supply.

• The plan strengthens the role of secondary raw materials, creating opportunities to expand metal recovery from sources like Incineration Bottom Ash (IBA)
• Recovering metals from IBA can reduce dependency on virgin raw materials, strengthen domestic supply chains, and lower the environmental footprint of primary extraction
• ESWET’s report on Integrated Resource Recovery Facilities highlights the potential of innovative Waste-to-Energy facilities in supplying secondary raw materials. With improved technologies, we can enhance the recovery of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, but also significant minerals — critical for Europe’s industrial resilience
• On average, IBA contains 2 to 5% non-ferrous metals, with around two-thirds being aluminium. With advanced recovery technologies, Europe could recover up to 0.7 million tons of aluminium
• The Action Plan is a positive signal for sustainable industrial policy, supporting a more competitive, low-carbon metals sector. Looking ahead, policies that encourage investment in advanced recovery technologies will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of secondary raw materials.