Consortium

The project is run by a consortium of 19 partners from 8 European countries and Turkey, representing leading business, technological and research organizations, and institutions across Europe. The project coordinator Tecnalia Research & Innovation (Spain) will oversee the project’s implementation plan of 11 work packages for a duration of 4 years. The project started on 1st May 2021 and will run until 30 April 2025. The involved partners cover the whole value chain to produce Precious Metals from end-of-life products and waste.

COORDINATOR

TECNALIA

Tecnalia Research & Innovation is a private, independent, non-profit applied research center of international excellence. TECNALIA is the leading private and independent research and technology organization in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. TECNALIA has one goal: to transform knowledge into GDP, meaning wealth to improve people’s quality of life by generating business opportunities for industry. TECNALIA is committed to generate major impacts in economic terms, by means of innovation and technological development, addressed by six business divisions covering the economic sectors of Energy, Environment, Industry, Transport, Construction, Health and ICT.

Main tasks and responsibilities TECNALIA is the project coordinator and will lead WP1 Management and thereby supervise the overall coordination, administrative, financial and contractual management in the project. It will also perform the optimization of the up-concentration stage by using Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) combined with electrochemical treatment in WP3 Optimization and upscaling of the concentration stage. In addition, TECNALIA will work on the valorisation of Precious Metals and Platinum Group Metals into single streams in WP8. Also, TECNALIA will contribute to the study of the economics of the pre-commercial PEACOC pilot in WP6 Engineering, construction and commissioning of the pre-commercial pilot. TECNALIA will lead WP9 Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle costing (LCC) analysis, which aim is to evaluate the environmental and economic sustainability of the PEACOC technologies at laboratory and industrial scale.
Spain https://www.tecnalia.com

CRF

Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF), founded in 1978, and part of the Stellantis N.V. Group, a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed in 2021, has the mission to develop and transfer innovative products, processes and methodologies in order to improve the competitiveness of its products. Through the cooperation with a pan-European and increasingly global network of more than 1700 partners from the industry and academia, CRF conducts collaborative research initiatives at the national and international levels in partnership with all the key public and private stakeholders concerned with Sustainable Mobility, targeting specifically the industrial exploitation of research.

Main tasks and responsibilities As part of WP2 Collection, characterisation and pre-treatment of end-of-life products, CRF will perform such activities for end-of-life autocatalysts. Moreover, in WP8 Valorisation of recovered Precious Metals and residual matrices into different applications, this partner will test and validate the performance of autocatalysts containing Platinum Group Metals. Finally, CRF will have an active role in both exploitation and technology transfer towards internal operations and external suppliers.
Italy https://www.stellantis.com/en

TREEE

TREEE is a private company, a leading industrial player operating in the Italian e-waste sector with a supply chain covering every segment from the home delivery of household appliances to the collection, treatment and recycling of electrical waste. Since its establishment, the main aim of TREEE is to close the loop and find solutions for the recovery and recycling of different fractions that constitute waste of electrical and electronic equipment, especially for critical raw materials. TREEE innovative approach is addressed both to new treatment technologies and to new recycling field for waste fractions.

Main tasks and responsibilities TREEE will be responsible for identifying untapped European end-of-life products containing Precious Metals as part of WP2 Collection, characterisation and pre-treatment of end-of-life products. Moreover, this entity will contribute to the validation of the final PEACOC process in WP7 Validation of the pre-commercial pilot plant. Finally, TREEE will also take part in WP9 Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle costing (LCC) analysis. as well as in the activities of WP10 Dissemination, communication and clustering and WP11 Stakeholder engagement and exploitation.
Italy https://treee.it/

Comet

Comet Traitements (Comet) is a Belgian innovative high-growth company recycling shredder residue and the by-product of the shredding of metallic wastes. Since its creation in 2002, they have developed and industrialised more than 8 post-shredder separation and recycling processes for the recovery of non-ferrous metals, minerals, iron oxides, synthetic fuel, plastics, etc. The success of these technologies has helped Comet to build up sustainable supply chains of secondary raw materials in Belgium. In addition, it also contributes to meeting EU targets on recovery rates and secure its reputation as an industry leader.

Main tasks and responsibilities In WP2 Collection, characterisation and pre-treatment of end-of-life products, Comet will be responsible for the supply, characterization and preparation of Precious Metals concentrates that will be extracted from photovoltaic panels. In parallel, this partner will lead the definition of collection schemes of end-of-life photovoltaic panels in Europe.
Belgium https://www.cometgroup.be

MONOLITHOS

MONOLITHOS is an independent SME and operating according to EU standards. It has a twenty-year experience in the manufacturing, regenerating, and recycling of catalytic converters. The company’s Business Network is based on 1,025 Professional Automotive Workshop Clients for aftermarket products and 1,335 Suppliers of spent automotive catalysts for recycling. Over the years, MONOLITHOS has expanded its product portfolio and currently manufactures over 300 different catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters (DPFs) for all vehicle makes and models.

Main tasks and responsibilities MONOLITHOS will participate in the supply of milled end-of-life autocatalysts as part of WP2 Collection, characterisation and pre-treatment of end-of-life products. Moreover, MONOLITHOS will lead WP7 Validation of the pre-commercial pilot. This partner will be responsible for the operation, optimization, demonstration and validation of the pre-commercial pilot to produce up to 2 kg of Precious Metals in one-week operation. In the next project phase at WP8 Valorisation of recovered Precious Metals and residual matrices into different applications, MONOLITHOS will be responsible for the utilization of the recycled Precious Metals in the manufacturing of autocatalysts and nanoparticles for energy technologies. In addition, this entity will undertake tasks regarding the provision of data needed for WP9 Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle costing (LCC) analysis.
Greece https://www.monolithos-catalysts.gr

FORD OTOSAN

FORD OTOSAN is a major automotive OEM in Turkey, designing and producing heavy duty trucks, light/medium commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles and diesel engines for all these automotive applications. Founded in 1959, FORD OTOSAN has the biggest R&D center of the Turkish automotive industry, with over 1,300 engineers developing advanced technologies for global competition.

Main tasks and responsibilities FORD OTOSAN will be involved in WP2 Collection, characterisation and pre-treatment of end-of-life products on the design changes of heavy-duty truck after-treatment system with regards to EU7 emission level vehicles for re-usability, re-changeability and easy dismantling. Within the same WP, FORD OTOSAN will also analyse and identify end-of-life autocatalysts resources in Turkey and define the industrial capacities for recycling. In WP8 Valorisation of recovered Precious Metals and residual matrices into different applications, FORD OTOSAN will conduct emission tests for remanufactured exhaust catalyst with recycled Platinum Group Metals.
Turkey https://www.fordotosan.com.tr

MBN

Founded in 1994 MBN Nanomaterialia (MBN) is a producer of nanostructured powder materials trough a proprietary mechano-chemical synthesis process technology (Mechanomade®). With an installed industrial production capacity of more than 100 ton/range on 8 production plants, MBN is offering to the market innovative materials that are utilized in powder metallurgy, spraying and laser deposition processes.

Main tasks and responsibilities During WP8 Valorisation of recovered Precious Metals and residual matrices into different applications, MBN will develop, validate and upscale processes for the up-cycling of the by-products results obtained from the recovery of Precious Metals. Residual solid/liquid materials will be processed to obtain new raw materials for new composites, ceramics and metal powder. The latter will be optimized for their processing in the Additive Manufacturing sector.
Italy https://www.mbn.it

3DHUB

3DHUB specializes in 3D printing, scanning and designing. 3DHUB is involved in R&D and in particular on the topic of using metallic powders recovered from recycled PCB’s to develop 3D printable filaments for use in FDM 3D printers

Main tasks and responsibilities 3DHUB’s experience will be applied during WP8 Valorisation of recovered Precious Metals and residual matrices into different applications. This will be achieved through 3D printing using mainly additive manufacturing technologies. The wide range of 3D printers at 3DHUB’s premises will allow to evaluate the performance of the PEACOC materials in a broad spectrum of equipment.
Greece https://www.3dhub.gr

CEINNMAT

CEINNMAT is a research-intensive private Spanish SME specialized in developing proprietary innovative technologies for material processing with microwave technology. The application of those developments to an industrial scale implies radical technical advances in materials processing, metallurgy processes and chemical synthesis, contributing to decrease the associated carbon fingerprint, the cost effective and high-quality processing.

Main tasks and responsibilities CEINNMAT’s main activities will contribute to WP6 Engineering, construction and commissioning of the pre-commercial pilot for the development, engineering and upscaling of the microwave-assisted leaching module. In addition, this partner will be heavily involved in WP7 Validation of the pre-commercial pilot.
Spain https://www.ceinnmat.com

6TMIC

6TMIC is a French SME created in 2004 that specializes in innovative process engineering development and R&D management in the fields of renewable sources and sustainable development. 6TMIC is well involved in R&D French and EU industrial projects. The company gathered a big knowledge in chemical and electrochemical reactor modelling in fields of energy storage, hydrogen production, chemical conversions and CO2 capture.

Main tasks and responsibilities 6TMIC will be leading WP6 Engineering, construction and commissioning of the pre-commercial pilot. This partner will manage the industrial development of the different technology bricks while conducting detailed engineering and the construction of the pre-commercial pilot. Finally, 6TMIC will assist VITO to perform the pilot commissioning and start-up with real conditions.
France https://www.6t-mic.com

ISL

ISL started in 1999 as a spin-off of the Institute for Handling Devices and Robots of Vienna University of Technology and the Austrian Society for Systems Engineering and Automation. Initially ISL´s core business are development and construction of Automated disassembly systems for electr(on)ic products, Robots in Entertainment, Distance Learning as well as teaching support. Since 2006 ISL is involved also in business development, management and strategy consultancy mainly for the IFC International Finance Corporation in the waste sector in West Balkan, India and Pakistan. In 2007 ISL started the re-use and recycling of mobile phones and became quite fast one of the leading companies in Central Europe in this sector with about 400,000 mobile phones per year.

Main tasks and responsibilities ISL will lead WP11 Stakeholder Engagement and Exploitation. Therefore, this ISL will set up the post-project life of the PEACOC technologies. The activities will include detailed uptake plan, market analysis and business plan.
Austria https://www.isl-group.at

ULiège

The University of Liège (ULiège) was founded in 1817 and counts more than 25,000 students from almost 130 nationalities. The GeMMe, a Research Unit specialized in georesources, mineral engineering and extractive metallurgy, derives its know-how from a long research tradition in primary ores mining and processing. The GeMMe actively contributes to the development of innovative processes for the efficient management of mineral and metallic resources while providing unparalleled upscaling experience in urban ore characterization and processing (with a focus on innovative sorting techniques and hydrometallurgy).

Main tasks and responsibilities ULiège will be mainly involved in WP3 Optimisation and upscaling of the concentration stage. They will take part in the optimization of the flotation technology to treat different materials at small scale. Moreover, this partner will also adapt its NOVA technology to treat different materials at the optimal scale and they will define the best circuit for the concentrate stage. Additionally, ULiège will contribute in WP2 Collection, characterization and pre-treatment of end-of-life products.
Belgium https://www.uliege.be

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), founded in 1842, is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive university of technology in The Netherlands. TU Delft has a strong research profile with the main focus on engineering and applied sciences. The Industrial Design Engineering Faculty (IDE) is among the largest university design programmes in the world. The faculty has an integrative vision on product design. Its concern is to study, innovate and improve the development of durable products and their related services, based on the balanced interests of users, industry, society and environment.

Main tasks and responsibilities TU Delft TU Delft will be involved in WP3 Optimisation and upscaling of the concentration stage for the development, design and construction of the pilot-scale Superconducting Magnetic Separation and Optical/magnetic Ultra-fast separation technologies. This partner will also have important roles in WP7 Validation of the pre-commercial pilot, WP8 Valorisation of recovered Precious Metals and residual matrices into different applications and WP9 Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle costing (LCC) analysis.
Netherlands https://www.tudelft.nl

VITO

VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research), is a leading European independent research and consultancy center in the areas of cleantech and sustainable development, elaborating solutions for the large societal challenges of today. Sustainable chemistry, energy, health, materials management and land use: these are the five topics VITO focuses on. These topics have been set out in five research programs. They offer an answer to the challenges that mankind and society are confronted with today and in the future. Each program builds up a strong base of knowledge and skill, with added value for industry and society. The result is new and innovative research and a comprehensive range of scientific services.

Main tasks and responsibilities VITO will optimize and upscale their microwave assisted leaching and GDEx recovery technologies. These technologies were designed and developed, up to TRL4-5, to leach and recover platinum group metals, respectively, in a previous EU-funded project (i.e., PLATIRUS). Both technologies will be validated and optimized at lab scale in WP4 Optimization of the refining stage (led by VITO) to obtain the necessary data for upscaling in WP6 Engineering, construction and commissioning of the pre-commercial pilot (led by 6TMIC but with a major participation of VITO). VITO will be heavily involved in the construction of the pilot installation, whereby the GDEx pilot will be constructed in-house. Finally, testing of the pilot scale microwave leaching and GDEx metal recovery process will be assisted by VITO.
Belgium https://www.vito.be

PNO INNOVATION

PNO Innovation is specialized in Innovation Management and funding, providing support services to private and public organizations in Innovation processes, Technology Transfer, IT solutions and funding for research, development and innovation. PNO is a European group, made up of a pool of around 400 professionals including scientists, engineers, consultants as well as financial and legal experts, with consolidated experience in innovation processes and funding in international working environments (Europe, Latin America, and USA).

Main tasks and responsibilities PNO Innovation will lead WP10 Dissemination, communication and clustering by developing the strategies, tactics and actions to disseminate, communicate the project results. PNO Innovation will be also a key contributor in WP11 Stakeholder engagement and exploitation. A particular focus will be given to identify and engage relevant stakeholders for further exploitation activities, as well as market and business analysis to support the consortium into bringing the technologies available to the outside.
Belgium https://www.pnoconsultants.com

UNIVAQ

University of L’Aquila (UNIVAQ) founded in 1952 is a public teaching and research institution. It offers a full range of academic programs in the biotechnologies, sciences, economics, engineering, education, humanities, medicine, psychology, and sport sciences. With 7 departments, UNIVAQ has more than 18,000 enrolled students. Many of the university members, researchers and professors are have received international recognition and are considered leaders in their fields of research.

Main tasks and responsibilities UNIVAQ will lead WP5 Benchmarking with state-of-the-art refining processes. Therefore, this partner will perform the benchmarking of PEACOC’s technologies with the current state-of-the-art hydrometallurgical processes for the treatment of both spent autocatalysts and waste of electric and electronic equipment. Moreover, this partner will perform the environmental impact assessment and economic analysis of procedures tested within the pilot plant.
Italy https://www.univaq.it/

ISTAC

ISTAC was founded in 1994 as an economic enterprise of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for waste management. The company provides services to commercial, public, and individual waste producers at international standards. ISTAC assists various ministries and government agencies in establishing policies and regulations. ISTAC specialises in solid waste management and industrial waste management. Their activities include waste identification and logistics, landfill design, construction and operation, leachate treatment, disposal of sludge, electric production from landfill gas, recovery of organic and non-organic fractions in waste, production of Refuse Derived Fuel and Solid Recovered Fuel, Solidification-Stabilization, collection and incineration/sterilization of medical waste, collection and treatment of bilge water and slope, management of construction and demolition waste, city and coastal cleaning, laboratory services, national & international consultancy services.

Main tasks and responsibilities ISTAC will be responsible to lead the supply, characterization and pre-treatment of e-waste containing Precious Metals and platinum-group metals within WP2 Collection, characterisation and pre-treatment of end-of-life products. Moreover, material flow analysis will be done for autocatalysts in Turkey. Therefore, local and national authorities such as TurkStat (Turkish Statistical Institute), OSD (Automotive Manufacturers Association), ODD (Automotive Distributors Association), OTASAD (end-of-life Vehicles Association), TOSEF (All Repair Shop/Automotive Services Federation) will be contacted by this partner. Also, field data will be collected from automotive repair shops and end-of-life vehicle dealers to verify supplier identification. In this way, comparative results will be obtained in reporting types and quantities of autocatalysts.
Turkey https://www.istac.istanbul

ADMATEC

ADMATEC is a SME, producing AM equipment for ceramics and metals, with a worldwide sales network and install base. Main products based on SLA/DLP printing built on own development machinery, process and materials.

Main tasks and responsibilities ADMATEC will be involved in WP8 Valorisation of recovered Precious Metals and residual matrices into different applications. ADMATEC will be leading the development and demonstration of printing aesthetic parts based on recycled noble metal streams, with high accuracy and very low surface roughness. The goal is to prove that not only printing is possible but that printing these materials can have an economical beneficial effect above current process routes for noble materials.
Netherlands https://www.admateceurope.com

JM

Johnson Matthey (JM) is a global leader in sustainable technologies, addressing technical challenges around transitions in transport, energy, decarbonisation, and the circular economy to help make the world cleaner and healthier. They have operations in over 30 countries and employ nearly 15000 people, of whom around 1500 work in R&D. JM has over 200 years of experience in the recycling and management of precious metals and are the largest secondary platinum group metals refiner in the world with facilities in Europe, USA, and Asia.

Main tasks and responsibilities JM will take part in WP7 Validation of the pre-commercial pilot by supplying large volumes (up to 3000 L) of solutions containing Platinum Group Metals from its refining operations to validate the GDEx process. JM will use its extensive experience analysing and characterising Platinum Group Metals solids and solutions to support quantitative evaluation of the GDEx process.
United Kingdom https://www.matthey.com