CETIM Technology Centre attended in Brussels to the IV Raw Materials Week, organized by the European Commission, to discuss the latest developments on raw materials in the EU. In this event, held in Brussels between November 18 and 22, the main actors in the sector met, as well as political leaders. The event revolved around 4 main axes: latest EU activities in the field of critical raw materials, experiences in technological innovation within the Horizon 2020 program, raw materials to meet social needs, and new technological trends and subject skills cousins. In addition, the Seventh Annual Conference of the European Innovation Association (EIP) on raw materials was held.

Our Executive Director, Lucía Vázquez Prado, and the head of the ECO BIO Technologies Area, Cristina Martínez, attended the IV Raw Materials Week . This thematic meeting was a unique opportunity for us to exchange ideas and analysis on topics such as international cooperation in research or investment in innovation and technology with the main European players in the sector. In addition, it has served to know first-hand the latest technological and innovation trends

 

CETIM and Critical Raw Materials
From the Center we investigate sustainable processes with low energy needs for the recovery of critical raw materials. Through projects such as BIOMAT Recover we work on bioremediation strategies of precious metals and CRMs from secondary raw sources such as electrical and electronic waste, for industrial application in pigment manufacturing.

 

Another outstanding example is the H2020 BIORECOVER project, which CETIM leads and coordinates. This four-year technological research coordinated from our offices is based on bioremediation from different sources, from mining waste to alumina production, magnesite calcination, production of catalysts or low grade minerals. The project, aligned with the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, was presented during the Raw Materials Week by Lucía Vázquez and Cristina Martínez. Emphasis was placed not only on the technological objectives expected in the project, but also on the social and economic impact for the European Union of the developments of the initiative. In addition to achieving “zero waste”, it is a priority objective for the 15 partners of H2020 BIORECOVER to ensure a safe, sustainable and affordable supply in key economic sectors on which 30 million jobs depend. Among others, BIORECOVER brings together very different sectors highly dependent on critical raw materials, such as automotive, aerospace, construction, steel, refractory materials, renewable energies and even agriculture.