EU-funded project iBot4CRMs on Critical Raw Materials recovery will participate at the European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2026 in Stavanger, Norway from March 23-27. For iBot4CRMs, this will be the second year of participation at the annual forum for our Horizon Europe project which is developing AI-powered self-learning robots for high-performance waste valorisation and critical raw materials recovery. The project will actively contribute to the discussions on the latest trends and challenges shaping the confluence of AI and Robotics in Europe.
At the ERF 2026, ISWA on behalf of iBot4CRMs is organising a workshop on Sustainable and Smart Manufacturing along with NORCE Research, PROFACTOR, Three Robotics and Wood2Wood project on March 25 between 11.20-12.40 pm. This workshop will explore how European policies, industry needs, and circular economy goals intersect to shape a smarter, more sustainable production landscape in a rapidly changing geopolitical context. To this end, we have three speakers who will bring their domain expertise to discuss and debate circular strategies, industry view and research and innovation perspectives to ultimately formulate key strategic directions and policy recommendations for a resilient European industry.
Additionally, iBot4CRMs will also be present at ERF with a booth (number 8) next to the main registration desk. The booth presence will allow project representatives to interact with forum visitors who are interested to know about Critical Raw Materials recovery through urban mining using AI, Data and Robotics.
Each year, the forum brings together diverse stakeholders from the industry, academia, and the public sector for a solutions-oriented discussion on technologies, challenges and latest trends shaping the future of robotics in Europe.
Read more: iBot4CRMs Pilot Scenarios
Last year, iBot4CRMs consortium partner INESC TEC showcased the project at their booth and demonstrated to visitors our collaborative approach to develop and validate scalable, AI and Robotics systems for recovering and recycling critical raw materials (CRMs). The main objective is to create a cost-efficient secondary resource market for the supply of CRMs deemed essential to the manufacturing of sustainable technology products.
European Robotics Forum 2026 theme: Robotics for the blue economy and growth in space
The iBot4CRMs is well-positioned to support the EC’s action plan by maximising the recovery and recycling of CRMs from urban waste using AI-powered robotics. Thus, platforms such as the European Robotics Forum provide the impact and visibility that EU-funded projects like ours need. We are proud to participate in this year’s edition which will spotlight “Robotics for the blue economy and growth in space”.
Within this theme, our project will be part of a workshop on “Sustainable Manufacturing” practical, system-level solutions that could strengthen Europe’s industrial resilience and competitiveness.
📌 Workshop title: Rewriting the Smart Sustainable Manufacturing Playbook
Workshop number: 58
📅 March 25 | 11:20–12:40
📍 Room Lysefjorden B, European Robotics Forum 2026 — Stavanger, Norway
🔖 Workshop 58!
Meanwhile, catch us at booth number 8 for all project-related information.
Information on the Sustainable Manufacturing workshop
This workshop on Sustainable Manufacturing examines how European policies, industry needs, and circular economy goals intersect to shape a smarter, more sustainable production landscape in a rapidly changing geopolitical context. Through short impulse talks and interactive group discussions, participants will explore policy frameworks, industrial challenges, and strategies to balance sustainability, competitiveness, and national priorities in a changing geopolitical context.
Introducing the speakers:
🗣️Damien Sallé from TECNALIA Research & Innovation will provide context on the need for #circularity in Europe, look at the normative context and how #Robotics can contribute. He will also interrogate the “WHY” and the reasons underlying the very slow rate of change before finally gathering the ERF community’s perspective on the systemic drivers behind Europe’s transformation.
🗣️Dipl. Ing. Christian Wögerer MAS, MSc from PROFACTOR will speak about how digital technologies and #AI are reshaping the European manufacturing sector to support industrial resilience and competitiveness in rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. His presentation will provide an overview of the current developments, challenges, and future pathways in #IndustrialInnovation in Europe.
🗣️Fotios Konstantinidis from I-SENSEGroup/ICCS will highlight how #recycling is rapidly becoming a strategic, high-growth field, turning waste streams into critical resources and driving new industrial innovation. Specifically, he will focus on how intelligent sensing, #AI/GenAI, and #robotics are moving sorting beyond rigid, pre-set rules into adaptive, high-precision systems that can understand complex materials, respond to variability, and operate safely alongside people.
Keynote speaker: Ms Cecile Huet, Head of Unit, AI office, European Commission
We’re excited to announce our keynote speaker: Cecile Huet, Head of Unit, AI Office, European Commission.
Part of the AI Office at the European Commission, this unit supports beneficial #robotics and #AI development within Europe.
The keynote will outline current EU policies and priority areas, setting the stage for exploring how #AI, #Robotics, and digital innovation are driving Sustainable Manufacturing across Europe.
Co-create strategies with speakers, here’s how:
As a participant, you will co-create smart and sustainable manufacturing strategies with the domain experts for a strategic roadmap that will guide future policies and industrial innovation actions in the European manufacturing sector.
In mixed groups, audience and experts will discuss, debate and arrive at mutually agreeable strategic directions for European industrial competitiveness and sustainability.
Expect a lively discussion between domain experts from the industry, research and innovation community and public sector at the European Robotics Forum this year.
If you are at ERF already, don’t forget to RSVP for our event on March 25, between 11.20- 12.40 pm!
Meanwhile, as for our project updates, we’ve curated a few videos recently from our Use Case Partners. This was possible thanks to our 3rd consortium meeting in Athens last year during which partners shared Work Package updates, the challenges and the path ahead.
Securing sustainable supply of CRMs: A high priority for EU
According to the European Commission, securing a sustainable supply of CRMs to decarbonise the EU economy is high priority for the bloc. The urgency to act now is based on two facts: First, the extraction of rare earth elements is concentrated in limited number of regions outside of the bloc, including China, parts of Africa and Latin America, among others, and second, the processing and production of many rare earth elements is also highly concentrated in China.
Read our article: Could China’s latest restrictions on rare earth exports disrupt global supply chains, including Europe’s?
That is why securing a sustainable supply of rare earth metals is complex given the dependencies on a limited number of suppliers and high risk of supply chain disruptions. Recent initiatives by the Commission such as the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) in 2024 and the RESourceEU Action Plan in 2025 will help the industry cushion geopolitical and price shocks and support partnerships with countries to minimise supply chain risks. In addition, the RESourceEU Action Plan will also fast-track projects that will help reduce EU’s dependencies by up to 50% by 2029.
Watch our Use Case videos by clicking here.
This will take you to our dedicated page on our website on Pilot Scenarios.
Visit us on our YouTube channel
Alternatively, you can visit us on our YouTube channel where we have uploaded a host of videos, from partner introductions to Use Case scenarios.