INDUSTRIAL MINERALS ASSOCIATION EUROPE AISBL

Their core work

IMA Europe is the Brussels-based trade association representing Europe's industrial minerals sector — companies that extract and process minerals like calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, feldspar, and silica. In H2020, they act as the industry voice bringing real-world minerals sector needs and policy perspectives into research consortia. Their role spans mineral resource policy frameworks, sustainable extraction planning, advanced mineral processing technologies, and industrial symbiosis connecting minerals producers with other heavy industries.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

IMA Europe's early H2020 work (2015–2019) concentrated on minerals policy — securing access to mineral deposits and integrating extraction into land-use planning at the European level. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward industrial process innovation: fine particle flotation technologies and industrial symbiosis involving CO2 capture, waste heat, and circular material flows. This reflects a broader minerals industry pivot from "protect our access to resources" toward "make our processes cleaner and more circular."

IMA Europe is moving from policy advocacy into hands-on industrial decarbonization and circular economy applications — expect growing involvement in green manufacturing and resource efficiency projects.

How they like to work

IMA Europe consistently participates as a partner, never as coordinator — typical for an industry association that provides sector-wide perspective rather than leading research. With 96 unique partners across 28 countries from just 4 projects, they join large consortia (averaging 24+ partners per project). This makes them a connector organization: they bring industry legitimacy and a ready network of member companies to any consortium they join.

Despite only four projects, IMA Europe has built connections with 96 distinct partners across 28 countries — a remarkably wide network reflecting their role as a pan-European industry body that brings broad member representation to large research consortia.

What sets them apart

IMA Europe is the single voice of Europe's industrial minerals producers in EU research — no other H2020 participant occupies this exact niche. For consortium builders, they offer instant credibility with the minerals extraction sector plus a direct channel to dozens of member companies across Europe. Their combination of policy expertise and growing technical engagement in flotation and industrial symbiosis makes them a bridge between raw materials industries and clean-tech innovation projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FineFuture
  Largest funded project (EUR 187,500) and a shift into deep technical research on flotation technologies for accessing fine-grained mineral deposits.
• CORALIS
  Most recent and longest-running project (2020–2025), marking IMA Europe's entry into industrial symbiosis, CO2 utilization, and circular economy — a significant strategic pivot.
• MINATURA 2020
  Their earliest H2020 project, addressing the foundational policy question of how Europe should protect access to its mineral deposits.