UNIFE position on Critical Raw Materials

In this vision paper, UNIFE, calls for the recognition of the rail supply industry as a strategic sector under the European Critical Raw Materials Act (ECRMA) and the European Critical Raw Materials Centre (ECRMC).

The rail supply industry is essential to EU economic resilience, industrial sovereignty, defence, and military mobility, providing critical technologies for rolling stock, infrastructure, and signalling. Securing access to critical and strategic raw materials (CRMs/SRMs) is vital to maintaining railway operations, safeguarding European technological leadership, and reducing dependencies on unreliable third-country suppliers.

UNIFE has therefore identified and prioritised the raw materials most critical to the rail sector, particularly those used in electrical and electronic equipment, signalling systems, safety devices, and traction technologies.