LOSER CHEMIE GMBH

Their core work

Loser Chemie is a German specialty chemicals SME based in Freiberg, Saxony, focused on chemical processing and recycling of materials used in photovoltaic and semiconductor industries. Their H2020 participation centers on recovering high-value materials like indium and silicon from end-of-life PV modules and developing circular economy approaches for the solar energy value chain. They bring chemistry expertise to large-scale demonstrator projects that aim to close material loops in the renewable energy sector.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

With only three projects clustered between 2015 and 2022, the evolution is modest but directional. The earliest project (CABRISS, 2015) focused on raw material recovery — recycling silicon and indium from waste streams — representing a pure chemical processing role. The later projects (SUPER PV and CIRCUSOL, both starting 2018) shift toward broader circular economy frameworks, business models, and product-service systems for the solar industry, suggesting a move from lab-scale recycling toward systemic, market-oriented circular solutions.

Moving from pure material recovery chemistry toward circular business models and end-of-life management for the entire solar PV value chain.

How they like to work

Loser Chemie operates exclusively as a participant, never coordinating — typical for a specialized SME that contributes domain expertise rather than managing large consortia. Across three projects they have worked with 56 unique partners in 15 countries, indicating they join large, diverse Innovation Action consortia where they fill a specific chemical processing niche. This pattern suggests a reliable, low-overhead partner that delivers its technical contribution without requiring project management overhead.

Despite only three projects, they have built connections with 56 partners across 15 countries, reflecting participation in large Innovation Action consortia with broad European reach. Their network spans the solar energy and circular economy communities.

What sets them apart

Loser Chemie occupies a rare niche at the intersection of specialty chemistry and PV circular economy — few SMEs combine hands-on chemical recycling capabilities with engagement in circular business model development. Based in Freiberg, a historic mining and metallurgy hub in Saxony, they have proximity to the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and its materials science ecosystem. For consortium builders, they offer a practical chemistry partner who can handle material recovery tasks within larger circular economy or solar energy demonstrations.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CABRISS
  Their largest project by far (€321k of €374k total funding), focused on recovering indium, silicon, and silver — directly aligned with their core chemistry competence.
• CIRCUSOL
  Represents their strategic expansion from material recycling into circular business models, product-service systems, and second-life applications for solar products.