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Valuable and critical raw materials in smartphones – updated assessment under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act
Smartphones incorporate a broad spectrum of critical raw materials (CRMs) and valuable metals, typically present in small quantities but at concentrations exceeding those found in primary ores. Given the high annual sales volumes in Europe, end-of-life smartphones represent a potentially significant secondary resource stream. However, achieving economic viability in their recycling remains a key challenge. Here, we present new analytical data on CRM concentrations in recent smartphone models, assess their contribution to global metal demand, and evaluate opportunities to enhance recycling efficiency within the regulatory context of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.
