The RETRIEVE project addresses the growing need for sustainable management of end-of-life (EoL) photovoltaic (PV) panels in Europe. With the EU’s accelerated deployment of solar energy under the Green Deal and REPowerEU Plan, the volume of PV waste is expected to increase rapidly. However, existing recycling systems are limited in their ability to recover critical and valuable materials,such as silver, silicon, and glass,at the quality and scale needed to support circular production. At the same time, hazardous substances, including lead, pose environmental and health challenges if not properly treated.
To respond to these challenges, RETRIEVE is developing a modular and integrated recycling framework that spans the entire PV value chain. The project aims to demonstrate novel technologies for PV module disassembly, improve the recovery and purification of key materials (especially glass, polymer, silver and silicon), and propose safe and sustainable solutions for processing and utilizing waste glass and polymers. RETRIEVE also integrates digital traceability tools,such as a Digital Product Passport (DPP),to enable transparent data sharing and compliance with emerging regulatory and certification frameworks.
The project combines process innovation, environmental safety, and industrial relevance, aiming to deliver high-purity recovered materials for reintegration into new PV manufacturing cycles. Some of the approaches under development include low-impact chemical processes, modular material separation steps, and scalable purification routes. Roadmaps are also being developed for the valorization of polymer waste and for the incorporation of recycled materials in solar glass production, supporting long-term circularity in the sector.
RETRIEVE contributes directly to key EU priorities, including the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Critical Raw Materials Act, and clean energy industrial strategy.
