Italy’s Role in the EU’s Critical Raw Material Supply Chain and Resilience

Securing a sustainable and robust supply of critical raw materials (CRMs) is a top issue for the European Union's green and digital transformations. Within this context, Italy's position requires a renewed focus in order to fully contribute to the EU's resource security aims. This thesis provides a complete assessment of Italy's present CRM extraction, processing, and recycling capabilities, highlighting its industrial strengths, existing shortcomings, and prospects for expansion. Using an integrated research approach that includes a literature review, benchmarking, case studies, and quantitative analysis, the study looks into how engineering management techniques like Lean Mining, Six Sigma, and Agile Procurement, as well as digital technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Industry 4.0 solutions, can improve supply chain efficiency, traceability, and sustainability. The findings show that Italy's solid processing infrastructure and rising circular economy efforts are attractive assets, but its domestic extraction potential is substantially underutilized. Strengthening domestic production, encouraging technical innovation, and aligning national policies with the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act emerge as critical levers for reducing reliance on imports and boosting resilience. The thesis concludes with practical recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders on how to strengthen Italy's key position in Europe's CRM supply chain, thereby boosting long-term industrial competitiveness and economic security.