• Explore critical raw materials and their role in achieving a sustainable transition
• Recognize the diverse challenges that come with critical raw materials and the complex issues involved in finding solutions
• Analyse the importance of material systems and dynamics and review the social and environmental impacts of CRMs
• Distinguish major strategies for developing a more circular and sustainable use of critical raw materials
• Apply your knowledge to design innovative solutions in the field

Week 1: Introduction: Relevance of critical raw materials in our society

What is the definition of a critical raw material? What role do these materials play in our transition to a more sustainable future? Will we run out of critical raw materials soon?

We will introduce you to the topic, explain what criticality means and which materials are critical under which circumstances. We will also clarify the importance of critical raw materials in our modern society.

Week 2: Challenges: The issues with critical raw materials and their opportunities

How are critical raw materials related to geopolitics and conflicts? How are our consumption patterns related to resource use? What are the mechanisms of resource economics and commodity markets?

This week focuses on the challenges related to critical raw materials. We will explore the complexities of the global competition for resources, world-wide increase in resource use, and the role of resource efficiency for sustainability.

Week 3: Analysis: Tools for evaluating raw material challenges

What data do we have on the continued supply from existing mining sources? What is the potential for secondary sourcing?, How well can we predict the future of resources? How does our use of resources affect humans, the climate and the environment? What approaches are used to quantify these impacts?

In this week you will learn about the importance of materials systems and dynamics and methods for impact assessment.

Weeks 4 and 5: Solutions: Approaches and strategies for tackling the challenges

In this module you will be able to choose to focus on one of these three aspects for two weeks:

Technical Solutions : In the first week, we will focus on strategies to mitigate supply risks and the role of exploration to secure raw materials. In the second week, we will look at the potential of substitution and urban mining and we will dive into opportunities to make the resources value chain circular.

Systemic Solutions : In the first week, you will get an overview of circularity strategies (reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, etc.) for critical raw materials and learn how to design for recycling and circularity. In the second week, we will explore circular business models to improve circularity for raw materials and examine the economic drivers and policies that support recycling.

Policy Solutions : The first week will center around how certification can improve social conditions in mining regions and how trade relations can help to mitigate criticality. In the second week, we will discuss the relation between the Sustainable Development Goals and critical raw material challenges and learn how to consider and balance the interests of different stakeholders when assessing sustainability of CRMs.

Week 6: Ideas: Good practice examples and your turn to get creative

What are successful business cases of a more sustainable resource use? How can I get involved?

Get inspired by real life examples to create your own business idea that could be a solution to a resources challenge.