Involvement of less dEVeloped rEgions to streNgthen the CLOSER circular value chain for chips and microlectronics production

Proposal Title: involvement of less dEVeloped rEgions to streNgthen the CLOSER circular value chain for chips and microlectronics production
Proposal Acronym: EVEN-CLOSER
Project Type: Interregional Innovation Investments (I3)
Project Budget: 14 284 022.79 €
Europe Strengthens Strategic Autonomy through Circular Microelectronics Value Chains

The EVEN-CLOSER project is part of the European Union’s broader ambition to strengthen strategic autonomy, sustainability, and resilience in critical industries. It focuses on building a circular and secure supply chain for semiconductor materials and microelectronics production across Europe.

The success of this initiative depends on reducing Europe’s dependency on external sources for critical raw materials while fostering a competitive and sustainable industrial ecosystem. That includes, but is not limited to:
• Developing circular value chains for semiconductor raw materials.
• Recovering and reusing critical raw materials from e-waste and industrial waste.
• Strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty in microelectronics production.
• Supporting innovation in recycling, reprocessing, and remanufacturing technologies.
• Enhancing collaboration between regions, especially integrating less developed regions into advanced value chains.
• Reducing environmental impacts associated with extraction and production of primary raw materials.

How will EVEN-CLOSER be implemented?

CEA is a partner in the EVEN-CLOSER consortium, which builds upon the existing CLOSER initiative to expand and strengthen a pan-European circular value chain for semiconductor materials.
The European Commission recognizes the urgent need to address supply risks related to critical raw materials and microelectronics, especially in light of geopolitical uncertainties. EVEN-CLOSER aims to tackle this challenge by integrating less developed regions into a coordinated European network of stakeholders focused on circularity in the semiconductor sector.

The project will establish a pan-European ecosystem dedicated to the collection, recycling, reprocessing, and remanufacturing of semiconductor-based components. By connecting regional capabilities—such as pre-processing, re-processing, and manufacturing—the consortium will create a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.

This initiative will bridge gaps between regions, industries, and innovation capacities, ensuring that knowledge, technologies, and economic opportunities are shared across Europe.

The Role of Circular Economy & Innovation
Achieving a resilient and sustainable semiconductor value chain requires more than technological advancement—it demands systemic innovation across economic, industrial, and environmental domains.EVEN-CLOSER brings together expertise from industry, research, and policy to address these challenges through circular economy principles and advanced innovation.

Our objectives are:

  • Establishing a circular supply chain for semiconductor critical raw materials through recovery and reuse.
  • Strengthening collaboration between regions with different levels of development and specialization.
  • Supporting innovation in recycling, reprocessing, and remanufacturing technologies.
  • Reducing Europe’s dependency on imported semiconductor materials and components.
  • Enabling industrial symbiosis between sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defence, renewable energy, health, and computing.
  • Creating economic opportunities and new value chains in less developed regions.
  • Promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible production practices across the microelectronics sector.

The Direct Impact of EVEN-CLOSER
If successfully implemented, EVEN-CLOSER will significantly enhance Europe’s capacity to secure and sustain its semiconductor supply chains.

The project will contribute to:

  • Increased recovery and reuse of critical raw materials such as silicon, gallium, indium, and germanium.
  • Reduced reliance on imports from non-EU countries for strategic materials.
  • Strengthened industrial resilience across key sectors dependent on microelectronics.
  • Creation of a pan-European network for circular innovation in semiconductors.
  • Enhanced regional development through the inclusion of less developed areas in high-value industrial ecosystems.
  • Improved environmental performance through reduced waste and lower resource extraction.

By leveraging circular economy practices, EVEN-CLOSER will help transform waste streams into valuable resources, supporting both sustainability and economic growth.

Conclusion

With EVEN-CLOSER, Europe is taking a decisive step toward securing its technological future while advancing its sustainability goals. By building a circular and resilient value chain for semiconductors and microelectronics, the EU aims to reduce strategic dependencies and strengthen its global competitiveness.

The project sets a strong example of how innovation, regional collaboration, and circular economy principles can work together to address critical challenges. EVEN-CLOSER will serve as a reference for future initiatives seeking to combine sustainability with industrial resilience, paving the way for a more secure, sustainable, and self-reliant Europe.

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