Figure

Amount (left) and environmental footprint (right) of the production of materials consumed in the EU-27, 2019.

Figure Created 24 Apr 2023 Published 17 May 2023 Last modified 14 Jun 2023

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As a volume-based indicator, the Circular Material Use Rate (CMUR) is dominated by the non-metallic minerals which make up 52 % of material consumption and 66 % of recycled waste. Thus, the main leverage point for increasing the CMUR are measures to increase the CMUR of non-metallic minerals. From an environmental perspective, the significance of the material categories is different: around 75 % of the total environmental footprint of the EU27’s final demand can be allocated to ready-for-use materials and fuels. Fossil fuels contribute 35 % to the environmental impact of ready-for-use materials, biomass 32 %, metals 26 %, and non-metallic minerals only 6%.