EIT RawMaterials has announced a partnership with Türkiye-based Tethys: Trans-Eurasian Gateway to establish the “EIT RawMaterials Inter-Regional Centre” in Istanbul. This initiative represents EIT RawMaterials’ first venture in the region and aims to serve as a hub for innovation, education,and business development in the raw materials sector, focusing on Türkiye and Central Asia, a region rich in critical resources that remain underdeveloped.
The Centre is designed to address the global energy transition by promoting green technologies and expanding the region’s primary resource offerings to the European market. In the face of growing competition for resources, the Centre will foster international partnerships to support the objectives outlined in the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).
The EIT RawMaterials Inter-Regional Centre will identify critical raw materials projects in Türkiye and Central Asia that align with the CRMA, assessing their maturity through the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) expert group before exploring financing options. It will also facilitate access to investors and financial institutions in both Europe and Türkiye.
Bernd Schäfer, CEO of EIT RawMaterials, emphasized the importance of the collaboration: “The Centre will leverage our networks to unlock the region’s raw materials potential, attract funding for new projects, and drive knowledge exchange and skills development. Tethys is well-positioned to support the identification and evaluation of critical raw materials projects, which is vital for securing Europe’s raw materials sovereignty and industrial competitiveness.”
Leyla Keser Berber, Chairperson and Co-Founder of Tethys, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “This Centre will unlock the rich potential of the Tethyan Belt and strengthen Europe’s critical raw materials security. By bridging the gap between resource-supplying nations and those seeking funding and innovation, we are creating mutually beneficial solutions.”
Türkiye already plays a key role in supplying critical minerals to the EU, meeting 63% of its antimony, 99% of its boron, and 51% of its feldspar needs. Recent years have seen an increase in collaboration between the EU and Türkiye in science, research, technology, and innovation, further supporting the green and digital transitions.
