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[SCIMIN-CRM] Sustainable & CIrcular Production of MINeral Critical Raw Materials

Project description

Sustainable European production of raw materials

Europe’s dependence on raw materials, often imported from external sources, has created significant sustainability challenges. The demand for raw materials across various sectors, coupled with current methods that are highly polluting and harmful to the environment, has made the transition to sustainable practices very challenging. The EU-funded SCIMIN-CRM project aims to leverage European material-waste frameworks to enhance access to primary and secondary raw materials. It plans to develop streamlined processes and a digital platform that will improve the assessment of raw material sites and provide more sustainable methods for extracting and transporting resources. Additionally, the project will focus on developing techniques for recycling discarded materials into valuable resources.

Objective

Europe must reduce its dependence on raw materials (RM). Over 100,000 MWFs hold vast potential for critical and non-critical RM, while addressing environmental concerns. SCIMIN-CRM aims to enhance access to primary and secondary RMs in Europe by leveraging MWFs' untapped potential. This involves developing a streamlined ‘fast-path’ process and a collaborative digital platform for smart assessment, alongside technology development for RM valorisation in various MWF types across Spain, Sweden, Austria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. A roadmap will prioritize extraction of valuable CRM like fluorspar, baryte, REEs, and bauxite/aluminium, among others non-critical but highly valuable materials (e.g. copper, aggregates). SCIMIN-CRM will transform discarded materials into valuable resources, increasing valorisation from near 0% to 5% and reducing assessment time by -83%. It will deliver two mobile crushing technologies, a collaborative digital platform, and four cutting-edge processing methodologies. By 2030, the new process aims to become the standard for sustainable MWF assessment aligned with the CRM Act. The project will promote market adoption of sustainable solutions, offer capacity-building programs, enhance social acceptance, and foster industry collaboration. Ultimately, SCIMIN-CRM seeks to boost EU's access to RMs, improve economic performance, enhance recovery rates, and ensure responsible supply, contributing to long-term sustainability and competitiveness. The consortium involves 21 participants from 10 countries spanning the MWF value chain.

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Coordinator

ASOCIACION NACIONAL DE EMPRESARIOS FABRICANTES DE ARIDOS
Net EU contribution
€ 1 199 500,00
Address
Plaza de las Cortes nº 5, 7º A
28014 Madrid
Spain

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Other
Links
Total cost
€ 1 199 500,00

Participants (20)

Partners (1)