The UK Government’s Vision 2035: Critical Minerals Strategy sets out a bold and necessary direction for building a resilient, secure and circular critical minerals supply chain.
As global demand accelerates – driven by clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure – ensuring stable access to critical minerals has become both an economic and national priority. Vision 2035 recognises this challenge and outlines clear, measurable targets to strengthen the UK’s position.
The 2035 Targets
By 2035, the strategy aims to ensure:
At least 10% of the UK’s critical mineral demand is met through domestic production
20% is met through recycling
Supply chains are diversified so that no more than 60% of annual demand is supplied by any one country
These targets signal a decisive shift towards resilience, diversification and circularity – principles that are fundamental to long-term sustainability and supply chain security.
How Augean Supports Critical Mineral Resilience
Across our UK facilities, we are already helping to build critical mineral resilience through advanced recovery and recycling processes, including:
Oil Recovery
Metal Recycling
Precious Metal Recovery
Construction Waste Recovery
Through these capabilities, we divert valuable materials from waste streams and return them to productive use — reducing environmental impact while supporting national supply chain objectives.
Waste as a Resource
At Augean, we have long believed that waste is a resource.
Vision 2035 reinforces the importance of recovering value from materials already in circulation. Critical minerals are finite, yet many are present in industrial residues, by-products and end-of-life materials. By developing innovative recovery solutions, we can reduce reliance on primary extraction while strengthening domestic supply.
We are resource recovery specialists focused on closing the loop on finite materials, contributing directly to more secure and sustainable supply chains.
Our services support a wide range of sectors, including metal plating, circuit board manufacturing, catalyst and chemical manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, steelworks and petrochemicals — industries where critical minerals play an essential role.
Building a Circular Future
Vision 2035 places recycling at the heart of the UK’s critical minerals strategy. Meeting the 20% recycling target will require innovation, collaboration and investment in advanced recovery infrastructure.
By transforming waste into a resource, we can:
Reduce dependency on overseas supply
Lower carbon impact associated with primary extraction
Enhance material security for UK industry
Drive forward a truly circular economy
At Augean, we are proud to support this national ambition and to play our part in strengthening the UK’s critical mineral resilience.