
Rare Earth Recycling: The 15% Target Nobody Is on Track to Meet
The EU’s CRMA sets a 15% rare earth recycling target by 2030. Materials Dispatch dissects the gap between legal ambition and real-world capacity.
11 mars 2026
Anna K.Country Intelligence
Belgium stands out in this dataset through upstream production exposure, processing and refining capacity, and named industrial and corporate presence, with its strongest relevance showing up in Tellurium, Selenium, and Germanium.
This country matters first as an upstream source of material supply, where production concentration can shape pricing power and availability.
Strategic Read
Belgium matters because refining and processing concentration can translate into leverage even when mine output is not dominant.
Policy events
0
Materials covered
6
Leading materials
Why Belgium matters
Primary read
Producer base
Why it matters
Belgium matters because refining and processing concentration can translate into leverage even when mine output is not dominant.
What to watch
Watch whether the country moves upstream, expands processing, or becomes more central to downstream demand.
Coverage signals
Materials covered
6
Linked policy events
0
Refining appearances
4
Named companies
3
These are dataset signals showing how often Belgium appears across strategic materials research, not official reserve or production totals.
Mining / upstream supply
Very High
4
Refining / processing
Very High
4
Policy leverage
Low
0
Industrial presence
Moderate
3
Where Belgium appears in the dataset
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Tellurium matters here because of producer signal: 50-70 t/yr (10-12%), refining share: 11%, and 1 named player.
Producer signal
50-70 t/yr (10-12%)
Refining share
11%
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Selenium matters here because of producer signal: ~6% (~200 t, Umicore), refining share: 6% (~200), and 1 named player.
Producer signal
~6% (~200 t, Umicore)
Refining share
6% · ~200
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Germanium matters here because of producer signal: Nyrstar zinc smelter, refining share: 5% (~63), and 1 named player.
Producer signal
Nyrstar zinc smelter
Refining share
5% · ~63
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Indium matters here because of producer signal: 3–6% (30–50 t), refining share: 4%, and 1 named player.
Producer signal
3–6% (30–50 t)
Refining share
4%
Corporate and industrial relevance
Tantalum matters here because of 1 named player.
Corporate and industrial relevance
Cobalt matters here because of 1 named player.
Industrial footprint by material
| Material | Roles | Producer signal | Refining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tellurium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player | 50-70 t/yr (10-12%) | 11% |
| Selenium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player | ~6% (~200 t, Umicore) | 6% · ~200 |
| Germanium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player | Nyrstar zinc smelter | 5% · ~63 |
| Indium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player | 3–6% (30–50 t) | 4% |
| Tantalum | Source, Key Player | N/A | N/A |
| Cobalt | Key Player | N/A | N/A |
Companies and industrial actors linked to Belgium
Belgium
Cathode materials and battery recycling
Belgium
30–50 t/yr at Hoboken; significant recycling component; EU circular economy focus.
Belgium
Major e-scrap recycler recovering tantalum from post-consumer electronics waste.
Relevant policy and regulation
Chokepoints and concentration notes
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