AI-driven robotics to reduce Europe’s dependence on imported raw materials.
Critical Raw Materials supply chain in Europe
Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) are vital to produce a wide array of electronic and automotive products, as well as for the advancement of sustainable technologies.
Europe currently depends on a limited number of distant primary sources for these materials, making its supply chain vulnerable to disruptions and shocks.
With the increasing demand, solutions need to be found to secure a stable CRMs supply in the years to come.
Scalable solutions for CRMs recovery and recycling
The innovation project iBot4CRMs is developing integrated AI-powered robotic systems to maximize therecovery and recycling of critical raw materials from urban waste.
Its consortium of partners will develop and validate scalable smart technologies through 4 large scale pilot sites:
Pilot at Volt Motor
The Turkish electric motor producer is leveraging robotics to extract neodymium magnets from dismantled electric motors.
Pilots at E.K.AN.
The Greek recycling center is exploring the use of robots to dismantle desktops for Neodymium magnets and Flat Panel Display.
Pilots at FERIMET
The Spanish iron recovery company is targeting CRMs from streams of metal scraps and slag originated after waste incineration.
Pilots at Valorsul
The Portuguese waste organization is focusing on using robots to remove hazardous materials and recover CRMs from urban waste.
Urban mining for sustainability
By harnessing urban mining to supplement external sources, the project will strengthen Europe’s resilience and competitiveness in securing CRMs such as neodymium (for magnets), copper, gold, and silver.
As these materials are crucial for the development of modern and future sustainable technologies that drive the decarbonization of our value chains, this initiative will play a key role in addressing the challenges outlined in the Critical Raw Materials Act and the European Green Deal.
iBot4CRMs in numbers
Consortium:
16 partner organizations
Funding:
€ 9 558 276,25
Period:
1 Dec 2024 – 30 Nov 2028
Funded under:
Digital, Industry & Space
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The iBot4CRMs project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 101189783