INSTITUT FUR BAUSTOFF-FORSCHUNG EV

Their core work

FEHS is a German research institute specializing in building materials research, with particular expertise in the characterization and valorization of industrial by-products such as metallurgical slags and residues. Their H2020 work focuses on recovering valuable metals and nutrients from industrial waste streams, bridging the gap between heavy industry waste and circular economy applications. Based in Duisburg — at the heart of Germany's steel and metals region — they bring deep knowledge of mineral processing, standardisation for process industries, and the conversion of industrial residues into useful secondary raw materials.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

With only three projects started between 2016 and 2018, the timeline is too compressed to identify a strong directional shift. However, a subtle progression is visible: they moved from heavy-industry metal recovery (CHROMIC, 2016) through process industry standardisation (HARMONI, 2017) toward agricultural nutrient recovery (NUTRIMAN, 2018), suggesting a broadening from purely industrial waste toward bio-economy and circular nutrient flows. This hints at an evolving interest in applying their materials science expertise to food and agriculture challenges.

FEHS appears to be extending its traditional industrial materials expertise toward agricultural and bio-economy applications, making them an interesting partner for projects that bridge heavy industry waste streams with nutrient cycling.

How they like to work

FEHS participates exclusively as a partner rather than leading consortia, suggesting they contribute specialized technical expertise rather than project management capacity. With 37 unique partners across 10 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in medium-to-large consortia and are comfortable in diverse international teams. Their role is that of a specialist contributor — brought in for specific materials analysis and characterization capabilities rather than driving project vision.

Despite a small project portfolio, FEHS has built a broad network of 37 partners across 10 countries, reflecting the large consortium sizes typical of their projects. Their Duisburg location places them centrally in Western Europe's industrial corridor, with likely strong connections to Benelux and Central European research networks.

What sets them apart

FEHS sits at an unusual intersection: they are a building materials research institute that applies mineralogical and chemical analysis expertise to circular economy challenges far beyond construction. Their location in Duisburg, Germany's steel capital, gives them direct access to industrial slag producers and a deep understanding of metallurgical residue composition. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination of accredited materials testing capabilities with applied research in waste valorization — a profile that is hard to replicate with either a university lab or a commercial testing house.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CHROMIC
  Their largest H2020 activity (EUR 537K), focused on recovering valuable metals from metallurgical waste — directly aligned with their core institutional mission.
• NUTRIMAN
  Represents a strategic expansion into agricultural nutrient recovery, applying their materials expertise in an entirely new sector (food and agriculture).