On 14 October 2026, BeST is hosting* an high-level policy dialogue "From Mine to Mission - Critical Raw Materials for Defence Capability". It aims to explore how Europe can strengthen the resilience of critical raw material supply chains that underpin defence capabilities and defence-industrial readiness. Europe's defence capabilities increasingly depend on secure and resilient access to critical raw materials. Materials such as beryllium, nickel and niobium play an indispen

European Commission has taken another major step in implementing its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy with the launch of a €10 billion call for tenders to establish up to seven AI Gigafactories across Europe. Announced on 30 July, the initiative aims to create the high-performance computing infrastructure needed to develop next-generation AI models within Europe while leveraging an estimated €20 billion in additional private investment. The initiative forms part of the E

Botanicals are commonly known for their traditional use in herbal medicine, therapeutic properties, and aromatic properties. Botanicals are derived from plants, algae, fungi, or lichens and are becoming increasingly popular on the European market (European Food Safety Authority, 2026). One of the most popular examples is ashwagandha, as well as aloe vera or peppermint. They are found on the European market in the form of food supplements, cosmetics, skincare and aromatherapy.