Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RETRIEVE (Reintegration of photovoltaic panel waste back into manufacturing as high value products)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-10-01 al 2025-03-31
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.
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.
RETRIEVE project achieved significant progress across its main technical work packages, focusing on circular solutions for the recycling of end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) panels. A key area of advancement was the development and optimization of processes for high-yield recovery of critical raw materials. Two complementary process routes for silver recovery were demonstrated, both targeting high recovery efficiencies and the safe elimination of interfering substances.
A revised purification pathway was identified, building on established industrial techniques and ensuring continued progress toward the production of high-purity recycled silicon suitable for reintegration into the PV value chain. Supporting this, material characterization protocols were developed to monitor the composition and quality of recovered silicon fractions and guide upstream processing improvements.
In the area of material separation, the project successfully demonstrated recovery processes for glass and polymers. Mechanically recovered glass was processed and tested for potential reuse in new PV glass products. For polymeric encapsulants, methods were developed to separate and preserve the material for further evaluation, while thermal conversion pathways are being assessed for future valorization opportunities for synthesizing fuels or polymer raw materials out of these wastes.
Digital innovation has also progressed with the development efforts of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) prototype. This tool is being designed to enhance traceability, enable standardized data exchange, and support regulatory compliance and circular business models within the PV sector. Technical refinement of the DPP is ongoing, with work focused on integrating real-world data and evaluating enabling technologies for improved efficiency and security.
Despite challenges related to partner changes, the project has delivered strong technical progress in multiple areas of PV recycling, laying a solid foundation for continued scale-up, integration, and validation in the next phase.
A revised purification pathway was identified, building on established industrial techniques and ensuring continued progress toward the production of high-purity recycled silicon suitable for reintegration into the PV value chain. Supporting this, material characterization protocols were developed to monitor the composition and quality of recovered silicon fractions and guide upstream processing improvements.
In the area of material separation, the project successfully demonstrated recovery processes for glass and polymers. Mechanically recovered glass was processed and tested for potential reuse in new PV glass products. For polymeric encapsulants, methods were developed to separate and preserve the material for further evaluation, while thermal conversion pathways are being assessed for future valorization opportunities for synthesizing fuels or polymer raw materials out of these wastes.
Digital innovation has also progressed with the development efforts of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) prototype. This tool is being designed to enhance traceability, enable standardized data exchange, and support regulatory compliance and circular business models within the PV sector. Technical refinement of the DPP is ongoing, with work focused on integrating real-world data and evaluating enabling technologies for improved efficiency and security.
Despite challenges related to partner changes, the project has delivered strong technical progress in multiple areas of PV recycling, laying a solid foundation for continued scale-up, integration, and validation in the next phase.
The RETRIEVE project has delivered promising initial results across several core areas related to the circular treatment of end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) panels. High-yield recovery processes for critical raw materials such as silver and silicon have been demonstrated, supported by material characterization protocols and validated recovery steps for glass, polymers, and metals. A Digital Product Passport (DPP) prototype has been developed to support traceability, transparency, and future regulatory compliance.
Environmentally, the project supports the reduction of hazardous waste and the recovery of valuable materials, reducing the need for primary raw material extraction. Economically, the technologies under development may contribute to new value chains and business models for secondary raw materials. Industrially, the project promotes scalable recycling practices that can be aligned with EU circular economy goals and strategic autonomy in raw materials.
To ensure further, several conditions will be important:
• Further research and optimization to refine and scale promising recovery processes;
• Demonstration to validate performance for real-world industrial conditions;
• Standardisation and regulatory alignment to enable integration with certification schemes, waste directives, and extended producer responsibility frameworks;
• IPR support and commercialisation pathways to protect and deploy key innovations;
• Access to finance and market incentives for industrial actors willing to adopt circular recycling models;
• International cooperation to align approaches and standards beyond the EU, especially for globally sourced PV materials and products.
As the project moves forward, RETRIEVE aims to build on these results to support the emergence of a circular and competitive European PV recycling sector.
Environmentally, the project supports the reduction of hazardous waste and the recovery of valuable materials, reducing the need for primary raw material extraction. Economically, the technologies under development may contribute to new value chains and business models for secondary raw materials. Industrially, the project promotes scalable recycling practices that can be aligned with EU circular economy goals and strategic autonomy in raw materials.
To ensure further, several conditions will be important:
• Further research and optimization to refine and scale promising recovery processes;
• Demonstration to validate performance for real-world industrial conditions;
• Standardisation and regulatory alignment to enable integration with certification schemes, waste directives, and extended producer responsibility frameworks;
• IPR support and commercialisation pathways to protect and deploy key innovations;
• Access to finance and market incentives for industrial actors willing to adopt circular recycling models;
• International cooperation to align approaches and standards beyond the EU, especially for globally sourced PV materials and products.
As the project moves forward, RETRIEVE aims to build on these results to support the emergence of a circular and competitive European PV recycling sector.