Brussels’ latest selection of Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act formally named two Romanian initiatives — Verde Magnesium Industries’ magnesium‑processing project and an advanced battery‑recycling facility in Răcari (promoted by ECO LIFE STYLE) — among 46 projects chosen on 9 October 2026. The Commission said the round raises the EU’s total of Strategic Projects inside the Union to 93 and that the newly selected projects together point to roughly €21.1 billion of required capital investment to reach operational scale. (European Commission, press materials, 9 Oct 2026).
What the decision says
The Commission’s selection covers extraction, processing and recycling across 15 of 17 strategic raw materials; the 9 October decision lists two Romanian entries specifically: a battery‑material recycling project at Răcari in Dâmbovița county, and Verde Magnesium Industries’ processing project. The European Commission noted the new portfolio is intended to help the EU meet its 2030 capacity benchmarks for extraction, processing and recycling of key materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and magnesium, while stressing that Strategic Project status does not equal automatic EU funding or permits. (European Commission press summary, 9 Oct 2026).
Commission materials say Strategic Project status brings faster, more predictable permitting timetables (permits for processing and recycling projects are targeted to be decided within 15 months under the Act), better visibility to financiers and help in arranging offtake agreements — but projects must still secure financing and permits before plants can reach production. The Commission estimated the new 46 projects will require about €21.1 billion of capital in total. (European Commission, Questions & Answers, 9 Oct 2026).
Why magnesium and recycling matter to CEE carmakers
Magnesium and recycled battery materials are directly relevant to the automotive supply chain. Magnesium is used in lightweighting (castings and structural components) and in alloys for electrified powertrains; having a nearby European processing source could reduce dependence on distant suppliers and volatile overseas markets. The Răcari recycling project aims to recover battery‑grade materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite) that are inputs to cathode and other battery components — a feedstock that EU carmakers and suppliers need to comply with growing recycled‑content rules and to secure stable supply. (European Commission selection list and project factsheet, 9 Oct 2026).
