Imagine if we could take old, worn-out chemical catalysts and use clean electricity to pull out the precious metals inside. Instead of digging new mines or relying on risky imports, this process turns waste back into high-value materials. It's like a high-tech recycling center that uses wind or solar power to rebuild the tools the chemical industry needs to run.
The European chemical industry is overly dependent on imported critical metals (like PGMs, Mo, and W) for catalysts, creating supply chain vulnerabilities and high costs.
An electrified metal recycling process and a digital AI tool for predictive process control, demonstrated in a small-scale pilot plant.
If you are a catalyst producer dealing with high costs and supply risks for platinum group metals — this project developed an electrified recycling process that recovers critical metals from waste. This reduces dependence on foreign imports and lowers the carbon footprint of production.
If you are a renewable energy provider dealing with the need for industrial-scale electricity sinks — this project developed a flexible electrochemical toolbox that integrates renewable energy sources. This allows chemical plants to use fluctuating green power for metal recovery.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with high emissions and fossil fuel reliance — this project developed new electrocatalysts produced from secondary resources. These catalysts enable cleaner production of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.
Based on available project data, the project aims to make the chemical value chain more cost-competitive by recovering critical metals from spent and waste catalysts, reducing the need to purchase expensive virgin materials.
The project aims to move from TRL4 (lab validation) to a TRL6 demonstration in a small-scale pilot plant.
Based on available project data, the results will be communicated and exploited to stakeholders, though specific licensing terms are not detailed.
The project is building a digital tool using machine learning and artificial intelligence for predictive decision-making regarding metal recycling and catalyst synthesis.
The project runs from 2023-01-01 to 2026-12-31, with the TRL6 demonstration planned within this period.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 56% industry ratio, comprising 9 industrial partners including 7 SMEs. This strong commercial presence, combined with 3 universities and 4 research centers across 7 countries, suggests a high focus on practical application and market entry rather than pure academic research.
Contact VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V. in Belgium
Contact us to connect with the FIREFLY consortium for pilot plant collaboration.
