Fundamentals of Critical Raw Materials: From Resources to Innovative Circular Value Chains

Non-Degree / Dates: 11 – 15 January 2027

Europe’s clean energy transition, digitalisation and industrial competitiveness depend on reliable access to critical raw materials (CRMs). But where do these materials come from? How can their value be retained through circular solutions? And how can geological evidence be transformed into sustainable business opportunities and strategic decisions?

This intensive five-day course introduces participants to the fundamentals of critical raw materials, connecting mineral resources, industrial supply chains, circular economy principles and innovative business models.

Using Estonia as a real-world case study within the European Union, the course draws on the Baseline Analysis for the Critical Raw Materials Technology Roadmap for Estonia. Participants will explore how mineral resources are identified and assessed, how raw material markets and processing technologies function, and how primary and secondary resources can contribute to resilient European value chains.

A distinctive element of the course is a planned full-day study visit to the Geological Survey of Estonia’s Arbavere Research Centre, where participants will discover how geological data, drill cores and research infrastructure support evidence-based resource assessment.

The course combines expert lectures, practical case studies, interactive discussions, analytical workshops and interdisciplinary teamwork. Working in international teams, participants will analyse a selected critical raw material value chain and develop recommendations that integrate technological feasibility, resource efficiency, circular business models, sustainability, and economic opportunities.

The course concludes with team presentations, “From Evidence to Strategic Decision,” where participants translate their analysis into strategic recommendations.

No previous knowledge of geology or mining is required.

Course content

Monday – Understanding Critical Raw Materials

Introduction to CRMs, their strategic importance for the European Union and Estonia’s mineral resource potential. Geological evidence, resource assessment and the foundations of criticality.

Tuesday – From Resources to Industrial Value Chains

Global demand, raw material markets, refining and processing technologies. Supply-chain risks, resource security, bottlenecks and economic feasibility.

Wednesday – Circular Economy and Innovative Business Models

Secondary raw materials, industrial residues, recycling, remanufacturing and resource efficiency. Circular business models, sustainability considerations and investment opportunities.

Thursday – Geological Survey of Estonia: Arbavere Study Visit

Planned full-day field visit to the Geological Survey of Estonia’s Arbavere Research Centre. Exploration of drill cores, geological information and research infrastructure. Practical reflection on resource evidence and industrial development opportunities.

Friday – From Evidence to Strategic Decisions

Strategic development scenarios for Estonia’s critical raw materials, stakeholder interests, policy considerations and integrated decision-making. Final team presentations and discussion.

Why this course?

Explore Europe’s critical raw materials challenges through the Estonian case. Discover how geological potential, EU policy, industrial demand and resource security connect to strategic business and investment decisions.
Experience geological research in practice. Join a planned study visit to the Geological Survey of Estonia’s Arbavere Research Centre and connect geological evidence with economic and industrial development opportunities.
Turn knowledge into strategic solutions. Work with international participants and experts to develop practical, evidence-based recommendations for innovative circular raw material value chains.

Teacher(s)

Veiko Karu, PhD

Associate Professor of Raw Materials Circularity at Estonian Business School, Estonia.

Dr Karu specialises in mineral resources, mining engineering, circular economy, sustainability and strategic raw materials management. His research and teaching connect geological resource assessment with industrial applications, business development and European raw materials policy. He has extensive experience in international research and innovation projects, industry cooperation and European critical raw materials initiatives.

David Peck, PhD

Associate Professor of Critical Materials at Estonian Business School, Estonia, and Associate Professor at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the Netherlands. Dr Peck specialises in critical raw materials, resource constraints, circular design, remanufacturing, circular business models and policies addressing material supply risks. His research combines technical, economic and strategic perspectives on resource availability and circular value creation. He has extensive experience in European research, innovation and education initiatives.

Tallinn University reserves the right to make changes to the teaching staff where necessary. Any such changes will not affect the learning outcomes or the academic quality of the course.

Timetable

The course combines lectures, seminars, workshops, group assignments and independent learning. Thursday, 14 January, is planned as a full-day study visit to the Geological Survey of Estonia’s Arbavere Research Centre. The detailed daily schedule will be announced before the course.

Participants

This course is designed for international Master’s, MBA and doctoral students, as well as professionals interested in critical raw materials, sustainability, circular economy and strategic resource management. Relevant backgrounds include business and management, engineering, geology, environmental sciences, innovation, sustainability and public policy.

Group size: minimum 15 and maximum 45 participants, subject to field-visit capacity.

Prerequisites: No previous geological or mining knowledge is required. English proficiency at approximately B2 level is recommended. Participants should be prepared for interdisciplinary teamwork and a full-day study visit.

Credit points

3 ECTS (78 academic hours)

24 academic hours of contact learning.
54 academic hours of independent work, including pre-course preparation, analytical assignments and group work.

Assessment is pass/fail and is based on an individual pre-course analysis, group value-chain and business-model analysis, individual field-visit reflection and final group presentation.

To pass the course, participants must submit all four assessment components, achieve at least 60 out of 100 points, attend at least 75% of contact teaching and participate in the compulsory study visit.