Our ADL community, with 200 enthusiastic energy consultants and knowledge experts, started working on this report prior to the ongoing Ukraine crisis. Before, as a society, we were used to power and gas being available uninterrupted 365 days a year. The current conflict in Europe at the doorstep of many of our colleagues — as well as conflicts in the last century, like the oil crisis of the 1970s and the Gulf War in the 1980s — remind us how fragile energy supply can be.

In recent years, emerging nations have witnessed economic growth that has positively impacted living standards, driving up consumption, resources usage, and, consequently, waste production. However, the rapid growth in generated waste volumes and weak regulations to control imported waste have overwhelmed waste management systems and resulted in negative environmental, medical, and economic repercussions.

Water is a vital resource for human life — and for many industrial processes. Water scarcity is a growing global trend, exacerbated by climate change and increasing demand.

The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and associated battery gigafactories is pushing forward the creation of a European closed-loop battery recycling value chain. Increased recycling demand, intensified EU regulations, and a strong desire to localize supply chains and safeguard critical raw materials is driving multiple opportunities.