Objectives

General Objectives

  1. Strengthen the European Union’s strategic autonomy by developing an internal source of natural battery-grade graphite, essential for battery and e-mobility value chains.
  2. Contribute to Europe’s green and digital transition by supplying a critical raw material used in emerging sectors – electric vehicles, energy storage systems, microelectronics.
  3. Revitalize a former mining region in Romania and transform it into a modern, sustainable industrial hub aligned with circular economy principles.

Specific Objectives

  1. Restart mining operations at the historic Baia de Fier site, using modern extraction and processing technologies with reduced environmental impact.
  2. Establish a production capacity of 15,000 tonnes per year of high-purity (>99%) natural battery-grade graphite, with commercial production expected to start in 2027.
  3. Obtain all necessary permits and authorizations, including completion of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), in full compliance with EU and national regulations.
  4. Integrate the project into European industrial value chains by securing commercial offtake agreements with end users in the battery, automotive, defense, and energy sectors.
  5. Create new jobs and develop local expertise, supporting regional economic growth and social cohesion.
  6. Ensure traceability and compliance with EU standards, including CRM Act, EUDR, and ESG requirements, so that the produced graphite is eligible for industrial use across the EU.
  7. Attract private and institutional financing, by increasing the project’s visibility and demonstrating its bankability through platforms such as InvestEU or the European Investment Bank (EIB).