ERAMET IDEAS

Their core work

ERAMET IDEAS is the R&D and innovation arm of the Eramet Group, a major French mining and metallurgy corporation. They focus on improving mineral extraction, processing efficiency, and sustainability across the metals value chain — from raw ore characterization to energy-efficient ferroalloy production. Their H2020 involvement centers on securing Europe's supply of critical raw materials through better flotation techniques, automated mineralogy, and greener smelting processes. They bring deep industrial metallurgy expertise to research consortia, bridging the gap between lab-scale innovation and large-scale metal production.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015-2017), ERAMET IDEAS engaged in broader raw materials strategy work — supply chain security for refractory metals (MSP-REFRAM) and automated mining characterization (SOLSA). From 2018 onward, their focus sharpened significantly toward sustainable metallurgy: energy-efficient ferroalloy production with renewables (PreMa) and advanced mineral flotation (FineFuture). The shift signals a clear move from policy-level raw materials mapping toward hands-on process innovation for greener, more efficient metal production.

ERAMET IDEAS is moving toward decarbonizing energy-intensive metal production, making them a strong fit for future consortia targeting green steel, clean smelting, or circular metals.

How they like to work

ERAMET IDEAS consistently participates as a partner rather than leading consortia — zero coordinator roles across all four projects. They operate in sizable consortia (56 unique partners across 19 countries), indicating they are valued as an industrial end-user or technology validator rather than a project driver. Their role as a large industrial company contributing real-world production expertise makes them a reliable, low-risk consortium partner who brings industrial credibility and scale-up pathways.

With 56 unique consortium partners spanning 19 countries, ERAMET IDEAS has built a broad European network in the raw materials and metallurgy research community. Their geographic spread is notably wide for only four projects, suggesting they connect with diverse academic and industrial partners across the continent.

What sets them apart

ERAMET IDEAS brings something most research partners cannot: direct access to large-scale industrial metallurgical operations within the Eramet Group. This means research outcomes can be tested and validated in real production environments, not just laboratories. For consortium builders, they offer industrial credibility, real feedstock for pilot testing, and a clear pathway from research results to commercial deployment in mining and metals.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PreMa
  Their largest project (EUR 531K) tackling a major industrial challenge — applying solar energy and renewables to one of the most energy-intensive metallurgical processes.
• FineFuture
  Addresses a critical bottleneck in mining: recovering value from fine-grained deposits that conventional flotation cannot process efficiently.