Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the fields of raw materials and recycling, 1990-1992

Part of the Framework programme for research and technological development (1987-1991) under subactivity 3.3: "Raw materials and recycling", the programme continues and expands the work on raw materials and recycling carried out in the 1986-1989 research programme on materials. Its activities are implemented in close collaboration with other Community programmes such as JOULE, STEP, and the energy demonstration programme (DG XVII).
To enhance the competitive position of the Community's raw materials and recycling industries in world markets by providing the technological base for strategic innovative developments, and to encourage transfrontier collaboration and the transfer of technology between different sectors of these industries and other industries.
Four areas:

- Primary raw materials:
. Exploration (ore genesis, geochemical methods, geophysical methods, remote sensing and multidata correlation, drilling technology);
. Mining technology (development of new mining methods and improvement of existing ones, rock fracturing, support systems, load and transportation systems, modelling and simulations in mining operations, specific equipment for small-size mines);
. Mineral processing and extractive metallurgy (process innovation and process intensification, processing of high purity metals and multi-element components, industrial minerals, treatment of metallurgical residues and tailings, modelling/simulation and automatic control in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy);

- Recycling of non-ferrous and strategic metals:
. Characterization and classification of secondary materials and physical separation and concentration;
. Advanced pyrometallurgical processes;
. Advanced hydrometallurgical processes;
. Refining technologies and instrumentation on control of the processes;

- Renewable raw materials: forestry and wood products, including cork (FOREST):
. Forest resources (tree improvement, planning and management, forest protection;
. Wood and cork technologies (quality assessment, processing technology);
. Pulp and paper manufacturing (improvement in pulping and bleaching, improvement of paper manufacture and coating);

- Recycling of Waste (REWARD):
. Sampling, analysis and classification of waste, and waste statistics (household and urban waste, industrial waste, emissions and residues from waste processing);
. Recycling technologies (separation and recovery, upgrading and use of reclaimed products, production of chemicals, prevention of emissions from recycling processes, upgrading of lignocellulosic waste - COST project 84, composting);
. Energy production from waste (production and combustion of refuse derived fuels, pyrolysis and gasification).
The Commission is responsible for the implementation of the programme, assisted by an advisory committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission.

The programme is implemented by means of research projects, concerted actions, coordination activities, education and training activities, and studies and assessments.

Research projects are the subject of shared-cost contracts, with Community financial participation not normally exceeding 50% of the total expenditure. However, this percentage may vary according to the nature and the stage of development of the research. Where universities and research institutes are involved, the Community may bear up to 100% of the marginal costs of a project. Contracts relating to shared-cost research projects must, as a general rule, be concluded following a selection procedure based on calls for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Projects must, as a general rule, be carried out by participants from more than one Member State and include an industrial partner.

Concerted actions consist of action by the Community to coordinate the individual research activities carried out in the Member States. They may benefit from funding of up to 100% of coordinating expenditure.

For those parts of the programme relating to renewable raw materials, forestry and wood products (FORESTsubprogramme) and to the recycling of waste (REWARD subprogramme), the Commission is authorized to negotiate agreements with international organizations, those non-Member States participating in European Cooperation in the field of scientific and technological research (COST), and those European countries having concluded framework agreements in scientific and technical cooperation with the Community, with a view to associating them wholly or partly with the programme.

No contracting party based outside the Community and participating as a partner in a project may benefit from the Community financing of the programme. Such contracting party must contribute to the general administrative expenses.

During the second year of implementation, the Commission shall review the programme and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council. At the end of the programme an evaluation of the results achieved shall be conducted by a group of independent evaluators and submitted to these same bodies.