International projects

REMHub project proposal will create a cutting-edge digital innovation hub propelling EU excellence for Rare Earth Elements (REEs ) and magnets. REMHub will develop test and pilot novel technologies for exploration and primary production of rare earths and recovering rare earths from side streams to enhance supply security of REEs in EU. In addition, Re-X (Recycle, Reuse, refurbishment and repurposing) technologies for rare earths and valuable metals from end-of-life products as well as electric machine design for easier permanent magnet recycling will be developed. The project will also identify and engage relevant stakeholders for developing REE value chain in EU. In addition, in the innovation hub will ensure that the novel technologies developed in the project will be commercialized and offered as services in a digital platform. The project will also have dynamic communication and dissemination with the aim to involve and engage the public to develop trust and awareness related to REEs as well as to build capacity in EU. The hub targets transformative material sourcing for REEs and REE magnets, including traceability, digital twinning, and digital passport. The project partners cover the entire REE value chain starting from mineral exploration, through mineral processing and refining to metal production and magnet making as well as recycling. The project incorporates safe and sustainable by design framework (SSbD) including design for Re-X (recycling, re-use, refurbishment, repurposing) approach integrating easy dismantling and circularity properties. REMHub will significantly improve the supply security of REEs in the EU and with the digital innovation hub considerably accelerate the development of technologies and services to faster and easier market entry. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

WIDEX aims to secure sustainable access to essential minerals and elements crucial for Europe's strategic economic sectors by reducing reliance on third countries and promoting green, non-invasive recovery technologies. With Slovakia's Kosice region holding 46% of the country's geological reserves, and the Technical University of Kosice (TUKE) recognized as a leading mining university, WIDEX will bridge the EU's research and innovation gap. The 11 consortium partners will focus on enhancing the coordinator TUKE's capabilities in mining exploration, sustainability, and research management while establishing a Central European cluster, a Virtual Centre, and a Stakeholder platform focused on green technologies. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor REA can be held responsible for them

Li4LIFE aims to establish an innovative value chain for domestic lithium raw materials. The goal is to develop efficient technology for sustainable and environmentally friendly lithium extraction from underutilized deposits and post-mining tailings. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them

Through three less developed regions in Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Portugal, the RISE project aims to support the development and strengthening of creative and resilient ecosystems, as well as provide guidance in discovering investment proposals. By focusing on bioeconomy, smart technologies, and efficient and sustainable manufacturing in the context of industrial modernization, as well as bioenergy, solar energy, and sustainable buildings in the energy sector, RISE will directly contribute to ecological and digital transition and smart manufacturing in less developed regions. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor EISMEA can be held responsible for them.

The purpose of the C-SINK project is to deliver to the EC a complete package of worked up proposals to support a new or amended European legal/regulatory framework to bring high quality CDRs into the market. That package will contain pre-standards (in CEN format) covering requirements and methodologies for sampling, testing and QMS (ISO9000) upon which to build monitoring, reporting, and verification systems. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.

S34I will research and innovate new data-driven methods to analyse Earth Observation (EO) data, supporting systematic mineral exploration and continuous monitoring of extraction, closure and post-closure activities with the aim to increase European knowledge and autonomy on raw materials resources. S34I uses EO not only for the management of technical and environmental issues for a green transition but also to support mining's social acceptance (SLO) and better legislation. Innovative EO-based products/services will provide new or more accurate RM mineral mapping/exploration, environmental and mine monitoring and mine safety, at different phases of the mine life cycle. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The main objective of MaDiTraCe is to expand and integrate the portfolio of technological solutions that strengthen the reliability of tracking critical raw materials (CRM) and the transparency of complex supply chains. The project aims to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of experimental or largely untested methods in both the digital sciences and materials domains. Special attention will be given to the complexity of mineral supply chains with aggregation points for materials and transformation processes (processing, refining, etc.), including circular economy aspects (recycling). Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor HADEA can be held responsible for them.

Securing access to raw materials is a crucial requisite for ensuring Europe’s recovery, resilience and essential to maintaining and improving our environment and quality of life. I4-GREEN is industry-driven, with 2 pilots at its core which will deploy circular innovations to the market focus on: 1) Unleashing the green innovation power of EU interregional Ecosystems. 2) Making mining green, circular and social through joint investments. 3) I4-GREEN stemmed from an interregional innovation network and will scale into a unique interregional ecosystem. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor EISMEA can be held responsible for them.

This project proposes a lifelong learning course with thematic orientation Rare Earth (RE) Magnets and Motors to educate professionals who work or intend to work in the RE value chain industry. These specialists are essential to maintain and increase the resilience of the RE supply chain in Europe. The course uses a blended learning approach. The educational material includes 1 module on basic concepts of magnetism, and 5 modules the content of which covers critical aspects of the RE magnet value chain. This activity has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

The general objective of Project RESiLEX is to demonstrate 7 industry-driven technological and business innovative solutions covering the full Silicon value chain in order to contribute to improving the resilience and sustainability of this critical raw material value chain in Europe. RESiLEX (Resilient Enhancement for the Silicon Industry Leveraging the European matriX) will assess the economical, social and environmental impact of these solutions and identify, roadmap, provide open source policy-making recommendations to accelerate the replication of the ones with the highest potential, while also addressing transversal challenges from the European mining industry as a whole with a 8th pilot transversal demonstration. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor HADEA can be held responsible for them.

“Machine Learning for Tailoring Organic Semiconductors” (MALTOSE) connects fundamental materials research with machine-learning (ML) techniques, focusing on the electronic properties of organic semiconductors. The aim of this innovative project is to discover and design novel materials with exciting properties, the prime example being the design of compounds for better organic photovoltaic cells, i.e., that reach higher power-conversion efficiencies and are more stable and more environmentally friendly. The fellow will receive an advanced training programme in research skills and complementary non-research-oriented skills in order to enhance his future career prospects and to provide a strong basis for an independent career. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 883256.

PASSENGER is developing an innovative way to produce permanent magnets without rare-earth materials and is piloting the new magnets in one of the most crucial fields for the European green economy: the electromobility sector. This project has received funding from the European Union's EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 under Grant Agreement No 101003914.

PHEIDAS aims to bring into the market an innovative hydrometallurgical process for the recovery of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) from Spent Vehicle Catalytic Converters (SVCCs). The competitive advantage of this technology is the increased material recovery rate, as well as significantly lower operational costs. This activity has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

The project provides a support platform for the reinforcement of existing value chains and the development of new industrial value chains in the raw materials and mining 'target' sectors by means of cross-sectoral and cross-regional innovation. It will also provide support services in cluster-related SMEs through synergies and interactions with providers and facilitators from the existing and emerging fields of ICT, circular economy, resource efficiency and advanced manufacturing. This project has received funding from the European Union’s EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 under Grant Agreement No 873149.

ApplicationsUMA3 aims to create an international excellence centre to reinforce the UNIMI-FMSE position in its county and Hungary by enhancing the scientific excellence, knowledge and technology degree of innovation potential for Unique Materials for Advanced Aerospace Applications This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 952463.

Development of solutions aligned with the principles of circular economy for the recycling of end-of-life tires to generate secondary raw materials through high value-added technologies. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 869625.

Interregional cooperation project that brings together both public and private entities from seven European to work on establishing a common knowledge base on the obstacles faced by European SMEs when trying to integrate Industry 4.0 solutions to their businesses.

Project designed for the recovery of critical raw materials (tungsten, niobium, tantalum) from mining waste. These refractory metals from low-grade waste are recovered by developing a suite of cost-effective, scalable and eco-friendly metallurgical processes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 821159.

INNOCAT main objective is to promote favorable policies in relation to critical raw materials in RIS countries and launching the operation of innovative territorial ecosystems for the replacement and recycling of catalytic converters. This activity has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Network of public and private entities from European mining and metallurgy regions with the aim of ensuring the sustained and sustainable supply of raw materials to the EU. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 776811.

Development of innovative materials to improve the performance of concentrated solar power (CSP) towers in order to make them economically viable. NEXTOWER will address the needs by taking a comprehensive conceptual and manufacturing approach that will optimize bulk and joining materials for durability at the component level to achieve 25 years of maintenance-free continued service of the receiver and maximum thermodynamic efficiency at the system level. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 721045.

Network for the evolution of research on energy poverty in the European domestic sphere, facilitating the development of a comprehensive, innovative regulatory framework based on scientific evidence. ENGAGER draws together scholars and practitioners based both within and outside Europe who focus on various aspects of complex energy poverty challenges, using the full suite of COST networking instruments. Funded by the Horizon 2020 framework Programme of the European Union.

Network of international experts to find alternatives to critical raw materials for applications in extreme conditions and promote the industrial exploitation of substitute materials. The Action focuses on the substitution of CRMs (like Cr, Co, Nb, W, Y, and other rare earth elements) in high value alloys and metal-matrix composites used under extreme conditions of temperature, loading, friction, wear, corrosion, in Energy, Transportation and Machinery manufacturing industries. Funded by the Horizon 2020 framework Programme of the European Union.

Network of international experts for the evaluation of primary and secondary endogenous resources necessary to ensure the future supply of raw materials. The focus is on 1) construction and demolition waste, 2) materials regained from landfills and mining residues, 3) solid residues from waste incineration Funded by the Horizon 2020 framework Programme of the European Union.

DEXPLORE seeks to revolutionize mineral exploration in Europe by developing innovative approaches to counter declining ore deposit discovery rates, focusing on deep-seated deposits critical for the economy's decarbonization. The project emphasizes engaging the general public and stakeholders, combining innovation at various levels, and utilizing cutting-edge tools and technologies. Targeting essential materials across extensive geological terrains, DEXPLORE proposes a holistic innovation package, integrating UAV-assisted in-field mineral detection, advanced Earth Observation methods, and novel deep-land geophysics techniques to reach at least 600 m depth. The initiative outlines the development of updated ore models, improving exploration technologies, and providing a visualization platform. This platform will integrate geological, remote sensing, and geophysical data to enhance access to information about EU potential in critical raw materials, while increasing public awareness. DEXPLORE also aims to strengthen cooperation with strategic partner countries, establishing a robust Advisory Board and fostering collaboration with other EU initiatives for joint activities and result sharing. In summary, DEXPLORE represents a collaborative effort to advance mineral exploration, contribute to sustainable sourcing of critical raw materials, and ensure EU's open strategic autonomy.