As a Platinum Sponsor of this year’s EIT RawMaterials Summit—held under the theme “The Race to 2030”—International Copper Association Europe (ICA Europe) is helping spotlight copper’s strategic role in Europe’s raw materials agenda.

In this interview, Quentin de Hults, Director General, shares why copper is so crucial to Europe’s industrial future, what policymakers must prioritise to achieve strategic autonomy—and why the RawMaterials Summit is a crucial platform to drive that agenda forward.

What makes this year's “Race to 2030” theme particularly relevant to ICA Europe's mission and vision?

The “Race to 2030” theme resonates deeply with ICA Europe's mission to enable a climate-neutral and resilient EU. With copper demand set to rise 35% by 2050, there's an urgent need to accelerate investments in strategic and non-strategic projects across mining, refining, and recycling. Reaching 2030 targets means fast-tracking permitting, securing clean energy, and ensuring regulatory support for circularity. ICA Europe sees this decade as decisive for building the raw material foundations for Europe's green and digital transition, but considering the long lead time of mining projects, the EU should also look beyond 2030.

What outcomes does ICA Europe hope to see from this year's Summit?

ICA Europe wants to see greater political momentum behind strategic raw materials, translating into concrete action that supports competitiveness, circularity, and access to raw materials. A first list of strategic projects under the CRMA has been published, but we need to look at competitiveness beyond strategic projects and projects beyond 2030 to build resilient value chains that enable Europe's 2030 and 2025 climate and competitiveness goals.

Why is it essential for copper industry leaders to have a voice at platforms like the RawMaterials Summit?

The copper industry leaders need a voice at platforms like the RawMaterials Summit because it brings together the full ecosystem—from mining to refining and recycling. While the actors may be diverse, many of the challenges—like permitting delays, energy costs, and regulatory uncertainty—are shared. The Summit offers a unique space to engage directly with policymakers and peers, align on solutions, and ensure that copper's role in Europe's green transition is fully understood and supported.

How important is cross-sector collaboration for the copper industry's future?

Cross-sector collaboration is critical to the copper industry's future. Delivering energy and digital transitions depends not only on industry innovation but also on enabling policies, public trust, and research-driven solutions. From streamlining permitting to scaling recycling and ensuring fair climate regulations, progress can only happen if policymakers, industry, researchers, and civil society work together to align goals and remove barriers.

What skills and education initiatives are needed to future-proof Europe's copper industry?

Europe's copper industry needs strong investment in STEM education, vocational training, and reskilling—especially in areas like sustainable mining, metallurgy, recycling, and digitalisation. As the industry evolves with electrification and circularity, attracting new talent and equipping workers with the right skills will be essential to maintaining Europe's industrial leadership and driving innovation across the copper value chain.

How important is copper in scaling up renewable energy technologies and electric mobility?

Copper is absolutely vital for scaling up renewable energy and electric mobility. Its unmatched electrical and thermal conductivity makes it essential for solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and power grids. Without copper, these technologies simply can't function efficiently—making it a cornerstone of Europe's clean energy transition.

How are recent regulatory developments like the Critical Raw Materials Act influencing your industrial strategy?

The Critical Raw Materials Act is a strong first step—especially with 10 copper-related projects already included. But for ICA Europe, this is only the beginning. The Act must now be followed by streamlined permitting, predictable regulation, and support for both strategic and non-strategic projects. Meeting rising EU demand means scaling domestic production and recycling, and securing long-term supply from reliable international partners through strategic agreements and investment frameworks.

You can hear more from Quentin de Hults live at the EIT RawMaterials Summit on May 15th, 4:00–5:00 PM, during the panel "Securing Europe’s Metals Future: Clean Industrial Deal, Metals Action Plan, Circular Economy Act."