From waste to strategic asset: Can critical metals recovery build sovereignty?

​Teaser
Can recycling ever fully replace mined critical metals—or will economic and technological limits always leave us vulnerable? Dive into this urgent question at our open discussion, inspired by SPRIND's Tech Metal Transformation Challenge. We’ll explore which metals can realistically be recovered at scale, where today’s solutions fall short, and what these gaps mean for Europe’s strategic sovereignty and industrial future. Bring your insights—let’s chart the path forward together.

Why is this topic relevant?
Europe’s access to critical metals—lithium, cobalt, rare earths, and tantalum—is precarious, concentrated in just a few countries. Supply disruptions or export controls threaten both economic stability and defense capabilities. But breakthroughs in high-efficiency metal recovery from e-waste, batteries, and industrial scrap could change the game, unlocking sovereign-controlled supply chains. The question is no longer if we can recycle these metals, but how fast we can scale the solutions to secure Europe’s future.

The session will take place on the MATERIA Planet at VENTURE SPRIND 2026, held at Futurium in Berlin. You will need a VENTURE SPRIND ticket to enter the venue and attend the session.
If you don’t have one yet but are an active investor, just drop us a line at [email protected] - there’s a good chance we can sort you out with a ticket. Availability is limited.