Objective
The 4-year WISER project aims to transform Europe’s sourcing of semiconductor raw materials by demonstrating sustainable, secure, and responsible alternatives for antimony, silicon, and silver. It will showcase methods to process these elements into electronic-grade wafers and ensure full traceability along the value chain. To do so, WISER leverages untapped resources such as asbestos mining waste, photovoltaic waste, and geothermal water residues.
From 2030 onward, these technologies could meet up to 75% of Europe’s projected demand for these critical materials at up to 50% lower cost. The WISER project brings together an interdisciplinary consortium of five research institutions, six industrial partners, and two non-profit organizations, covering the full semiconductor value chain, from waste recovery and purification to wafer production, qualification, and traceability.
WISER will demonstrate eight technologies at TRLs 6–7, each backed by strong business cases and deployment roadmaps. These innovations target over 20 markets, including mainstream and lightweight photovoltaics, power electronics, satellite mega-constellations, cybersecurity, and AI systems.
The WISER project is expected to deliver major economic and environmental benefits: €4 billion in annual production cost savings, 28 billion kWh in energy savings, and 15 million tons of CO2 emissions avoided from 2030 on. WISER will also create two joint ventures, 350 local jobs, and generate over €150 million in cumulated profit for its industrial partners by 2035.
In short, WISER supports the shift toward circular economy solutions that reduce ecological and social risks, such as land and water conflicts, while significantly lowering energy use and carbon emissions compared to primary extraction, thereby protecting industrial resilience and jobs across the EU.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.4 - Advanced Materials
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2025-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2000 NEUCHATEL
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.