Alliances

CRMs4EU

Industrial Production of mixed Rare Earth Elements oxides and carbonates from spent magnets recycling

The overall objective of the “close to the market” LIFE INSPIREE project is to realize the first industrial-scale plant in Europe for the recycling of REEs from spent NdFeB magnets (Hard Drives (HDD) and End-Of-Life electric motors). INSPIREE will build on the results achieved at pilot scale of previous EU funded project (EITRM-NEWRE, H2020-FENIX and FP7-HydroWEEE). The hydrometallurgical process has been patented by one of the partners (WO/2019/215583A1) and this strategic know-how was transferred to Itelyum during the previous research-pilot phase.

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NEW-RE will tackle the recycling challenge of Neodymium permanent magnets (PMs) and of spent lamps contained in electronic waste and e-mobility electric motors. The target is to recycle rare earth elements (REEs) by scaling up a hydrometallurgical process that will produce REEs oxides and iron pigment. Considering the time-consuming activities of dismantling the magnets, an innovative solution for the automatic dismantling of PMs will be developed and its sustainability assessed with LCA/LCC.

The REEPRODUCE’s ambition is to set up the first sustainable and complete European REEs-recycling value chain at industrial scale, able to produce REEs from EoL products at competitive cost and with environmentally friendly technologies. Achieving this goal will secure an important and strategic value chain for Europe’s green transition

REEsilience project aims to build a more resilient and sustainable supply chain for rare earth magnetic materials and products in Europe and will create new market opportunities for critical raw materials more sustainably produced in the continent.

Resilient Enhancement for the Silicon Industry Leveraging the European matrix is a Horizon Europe project that has the main aim of improving the resilience and sustainability of critical raw material value chain in Europe. In order to reach this result, the project aims at demonstrating 8 industry-driven technological and business innovative solutions covering the full Silicon value chain.

The DINAMINE project aims to radically transform and modernize the mining operation value chain. DINAMINE will demonstrate a smart and integrated mine management approach, relying on data analytics tools for real-time mine-to-port monitoring of the performance, risks, mine productivity and recovery rates, and new technologies for machine automation and robotisation. DINAMINE will also identify best practices for carbon-neutral logistics and transportation, more energy-efficient processing, and handling and reuse of mining waste

 Magnets in rEsiLient supply chAiNs

MAGELLAN brings together renowned experts from industry, research and academia to revolutionise the way Europe recycles and manufactures rare earth permanent magnets (PMs) used in electric vehicle traction motors (EVTMs). The project will produce high performance magnets with 25% in mass of recycled materials by reprocessing end-of-life magnets sourced from EVTMs, e-scooters and e-bikes. It will also design advanced near-net-shape magnets by using the PIM process to decrease material losses during manufacturing process. In addition, the design of the rotors of electric motors will be optimised for efficient dismantling and increased reuse of magnets. Finally, the project will demonstrate the sustainability and business benefits of the solution. MAGELLAN will ultimately kickstart the development of a new sustainable and circular value chain for permanent magnets in Europe, thus contributing to a greener and more self-sufficient Europe.

ROTATE is a Horizon Europe-funded project that aims to provide environmental solutions that will contribute to facilitating the generation of synergies between diverse industrial sectors related to mining and quarrying. ROTATE goals are the following: to boost efficiency in extractive sites, enhance circularity and waste valorization, develop sustainable processes along the mining and quarrying productive chain, and improve social awareness about the importance of this strategic sector and its commitment to sustainability. In fulfilling these goals, ROTATE also seeks to ensure a sustainable supply of critical raw materials crucial for the EU industry.

Circular and sustainable economy for CRM, CRM substitution and/or recycling initiatives, Sustainable raw materials supply and their rational use/exploitment, Low environmental impact, Making society better (health, occupational safety, environment)

SCIMIN-CRM project aims to reduce the dependence of Europe on both primary and secondary Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), leveraging the unused potential of MWF. The SCIMIN-CRM project scopes to change mining by-products into valued resources by developing novel processing technologies and improving access to such CRMs as fluorspar, baryte, rare earth elements, and bauxite/aluminum. With over 100,000 MWFs containing valuable resources, the SCIMIN-CRM initiative focuses on creating innovative, sustainable methodologies and advanced technologies, such as a digital platform for CRM assessment and mobile crushing technologies. This approach aims to streamline assessment processes, reduce time requirements, and improve valorization rates.

Past projects

Secure European Critical Rare Earth Elements

The main goal of SecREEts (Secure European Critical Rare Earth Elements) is to establish a stable and secure supply of critical rare earth elements based on a sustainable extraction from European apatite sources used in fertiliser production. The project ended with very good news for the first step towards RE separation in Europe announcing the building of the first industrial plant based on the efforts of the project partners. All the industrial pilots have been successfully demonstrated to yield quality products suitable for a European value chain, including the verification of high quality magnets based on the project processes..

Sustainable Recovery, Reprocessing and Reuse of Rare Earth Magnets in a European Circular Economy

SUSMAGPRO aimed to develop a recycling supply chain for rare earth magnets in Europe and to demonstrate the effective reuse of recycled rare earth material within several industries. Towards the end of the project, SUSMAGPRO partners have achieved a breakthrough: magnets produced from secondary material were tested in rotors with very promising results. Through this contribution, partners help to lessen the carbon footprint of a resource that’s vital to both electric mobility and wind power, while still delivering powerful electric performance.

The SALEMA project is a combined strategy of decreasing the critical raw material dependency (from magnesium and silicon) and creating a sustainable economy in the aluminium manufacturing industry of Europe. The electric automotive sector needs high-performance, sustainable aluminium sources, that is only possible by the generation of a new aluminium ecosystem.