Critical raw materials recovery
19 European H2020 organizations list this as part of their work — 7 as their primary capability.
Most active in this area
- METLEN ENERGY AND METALS MONOPROSOPI AE
Greek energy and metals conglomerate providing industrial-scale validation for aluminium waste valorization, critical raw materials recovery, and smart energy systems.
“SCALE focused on scandium from metallurgical by-products, BIORECOVER on bio-based CRM recovery, and RemovAL on extracting gallium and REE from aluminium production waste.”
EL19 projects - LOMARTOV SL
Spanish SME applying electrochemistry and sensor technologies to battery systems, critical raw materials recovery, and environmental monitoring across EU research consortia.
“CROCODILE targeted cobalt recovery via electrochemistry, e.THROUGH addressed sustainable mining and secondary materials recovery, and CHemPGM covers platinum group metals supply chain sustainability.”
SMEES10 projects - SIDENOR INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLOSA
Steel industry R&D centre providing real-world testbeds for AI, digital twins, and process optimization in metals manufacturing.
“TARANTULA (their only direct-participant project) recovered tungsten, niobium, and tantalum from mining waste; CIRMET addressed valorization of industrial wastes.”
ES10 projects - FUNDACION ICAMCYL
Spanish research centre specialising in critical raw materials recovery, advanced metallurgy, and AI-driven materials discovery for mining and industrial applications.
“Core theme across TARANTULA (tungsten, niobium, tantalum recovery), RUMBA (MOF-based adsorbents for CRM), BlackCycle (tyre recycling into secondary raw materials), and PASSENGER (RE-free magnets).”
PrimaryES9 projects - OCTANTIS TECNALIA GROUP, SLU
Tecnalia Group's technology transfer unit specializing in open innovation test beds, advanced materials scale-up, and commercialization of EU research outputs.
“Contributed to CROCODILE (cobalt recovery from batteries) and TARANTULA (tungsten, niobium, tantalum recovery from mining waste).”
ES9 projects - SUEZ GROUPE
Major French environmental services group contributing industrial-scale waste recycling, water management, and circular economy expertise to EU research consortia.
“SEArcularMINE focuses on extracting magnesium, lithium, rare earths, and transition metals from seawater brines using membrane and crystallisation processes.”
FR8 projects - ECODOM-CONSORZIO ITALIANO PER IL RECUPERO E RICICLAGGIO ELETTROD
Italy's major WEEE compliance consortium, bringing operational recycling expertise and recycled plastics standardisation to EU circular economy research.
“ProSUM mapped secondary raw materials in the urban mine; SCRREEN built a European expert network on critical raw materials.”
IT7 projects - TREEE SRL
Italian SME specializing in recovering critical raw materials and precious metals from electronic waste, batteries, and end-of-life vehicles.
“CROCODILE (cobalt from batteries), REMAGHIC (rare-earth elements), and PEACOC (platinum-group metals) demonstrate deep expertise in extracting high-value materials from secondary sources.”
PrimarySMEIT6 projects - IOLITEC IONIC LIQUIDS TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
German SME manufacturing ionic liquids for CO2 conversion, green chemistry, and industrial process applications across European research consortia.
“SCALE project focused on scandium extraction from metallurgical by-products using ionic liquid-based processes.”
SMEDE6 projects - DMT GmbH & CO. KG
German engineering firm specializing in mining technology, radioactive waste management, and digital subsurface safety solutions.
“NEMO focused on REE and metal recovery via bioleaching and alkaline leaching; BioMOre targeted deep ore deposits using biotechnology.”
DE6 projects - BIFA UMWELTINSTITUT GMBH
German environmental institute specializing in critical raw material recovery and recycling processes for photovoltaic and industrial waste streams.
“Flintstone2020 targeted CRM substitution in tooling, while PHOTORAMA and ICARUS focus on recovering secondary raw materials from PV waste.”
PrimaryDE4 projects - STENA RECYCLING INTERNATIONAL AB
Large Swedish recycling company specializing in industrial-scale recovery of critical raw materials, rare earth magnets, and hazardous plastics from end-of-life products.
“REE4EU, CROCODILE, and SUSMAGPRO all target recovery of cobalt, rare earths, and other critical materials from waste streams.”
PrimarySE4 projects - ENSO INNOVATION SL
Spanish SME working on electrochemical processes, critical materials recovery, and hybrid energy storage for EV charging.
“BIORECOVER project developed sustainable strategies for selective biorecovery of critical raw materials.”
SMEES3 projects - ALUMINIUM PECHINEY
Major French aluminium producer contributing smelting expertise, inert anode R&D, and waste valorization to European research consortia.
“RemovAL project addresses recovery of gallium (Ga), rare earth elements (REE), and Fe-Si from aluminium waste, linking to the EU critical raw materials agenda.”
FR3 projects - IFIXIT GMBH
Repair experts contributing real-world disassembly data and design-for-repair expertise to circular economy and electronics sustainability research.
“CloseWEEE addressed recovery of antimony, graphite, and lithium from batteries and flame-retardant polymers (PC-ABS, PPE-PS).”
SMEDE3 projects - AUGHINISH ALUMINA LIMITED
Major Irish alumina refinery contributing industrial-scale expertise in bauxite residue valorization, low-carbon cement, and process digitization to EU research consortia.
“RemovAL addresses extraction of gallium, rare earth elements, and Fe-Si from aluminium production waste streams.”
IE3 projects - MAGNESITAS NAVARRAS SA
Spanish magnesite mining company contributing industrial-scale expertise in mineral processing, energy efficiency, and critical raw materials recovery.
“BIORECOVER focused on selective biorecovery of critical raw materials, while FineFuture developed fine particle flotation for unlocking fine-grained mineral deposits.”
PrimaryES3 projects - WARDELL ARMSTRONG LLP
UK minerals engineering consultancy specialising in critical raw materials recovery, mobile processing, and ionic liquid-based hydrometallurgy.
“Both FAME and ION4RAW target recovery of valuable metals and minerals from primary and secondary sources, with ION4RAW explicitly addressing critical raw materials via ionometallurgy.”
PrimaryUK2 projects - FRANCISCO ALBERO SA
Spanish industrial SME with proven expertise in SOFC materials and critical raw material bio-recovery across energy and environment sectors.
“BIORECOVER (RIA, 2019–2024) focused on sustainable, selective biological recovery of critical raw materials, where FAE's likely process or materials expertise anchors the industrial use case.”
PrimarySMEES2 projects