On September 23–24, the iBot4CRMs project proudly participated as a sponsor of the AI, Data and Robotics Forum (ADRF) in Stavanger, Norway. The event brought together more than 400 participants, including researchers, sociologists, engineers, project managers, industry representatives, and policymakers, for discussions on how AI, data, and robotics can drive a resilient, strategically autonomous, and globally competitive Europe.
iBot4CRMs at the Forum
At the iBot4CRMs booth, project partners Carlos Bernad (NORCE Research), Marcelo Petry and João Souza (INESC TEC), Rob Arnolds (HyProMag), and Léa Zamuner (International Solid Waste Association) met with attendees to showcase the project’s innovative solutions. Their discussions highlighted how iBot4CRMs is advancing critical raw material (CRM) recovery, reducing environmental impact, and shaping new approaches to sustainability, while also acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.
During the Sponsor Pitches and Presentations, Nabil Belbachir (NORCE Research), Carlos Bernad (NORCE Research), and Marcelo Petry (INESC TEC) emphasized the urgency of Europe’s CRM crisis. They presented the project’s strong value proposition for both industry and society and explained how iBot4CRMs integrates AI, robotics, and advanced perception into modern manufacturing.
iBot4CRMs in the Sessions
The project was actively involved in the sessions throughout the forum:
- Day 1: Hosted a workshop on Urban Mining & AI-powered Robotics
- Day 2: Participated in a session on Turning AI/ML Research into Impact
Workshop 1: Urban Mining & AI-powered Robotics, securing Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Supply
The session, hosted by Delia Mitcan (TU/e), Rob Arnolds (HyProMag) and Sotiris Makris (Patras University), focused on how artificial intelligence and robotics can play a central role in supporting urban mining and improving the recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs). It highlighted Europe’s heavy dependence on imports, particularly from China, which currently supplies about 95% of the continent’s CRMs. This reliance poses significant risks, as export restrictions and supply disruptions can quickly undermine industrial stability.
Beyond dependency, Europe also faces industrial capacity gaps, with limited mining, processing, and magnet-manufacturing capabilities. The situation is particularly evident in the UK, where NdFeB magnets have not been produced for over two decades.
While recycling and urban mining offer opportunities to reduce dependency and environmental impacts, major barriers persist. Many products are not designed with disassembly in mind, such as magnets that are glued into place, making recovery technically challenging. Additionally, higher labor costs in Europe make recycling less competitive compared to less sustainable practices abroad. As a result, automation emerges as a key enabler, essential to making recovery processes both efficient and economically viable.
This is where AI and robotics show great potential. Intelligent robotic systems can automate the disassembly of complex products such as hard drives or electric vehicle motors. However, variability, different models, coatings, and unknown configurations, remains a challenge. Ongoing research is therefore exploring more flexible and adaptable robotics, as well as hybrid approaches that combine human adaptability with robotic precision.
Policy and regulation were also identified as decisive factors. The EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) is pushing companies to increase the use of recycled content and adopt circular practices. Still, fragmented implementation across the 27 EU member states slows progress and hinders a coordinated European response.
On a broader level, the discussion pointed to the role of consumerism and fast product replacement cycles in fueling waste. Often, sustainability teams push for recyclability while design teams prioritize performance, resulting in conflicting objectives. A paradigm shift is needed: consuming less, designing products to last longer, and embedding circularity into their end-of-life from the start.
Despite these hurdles, the overall outlook remains positive. Europe is investing heavily in research, pilot plants, and recycling infrastructure. A strong ecosystem of researchers and SMEs is driving advances in AI, robotics, and sustainable practices. Yet, the main challenges ahead are scaling innovations from the lab to industrial use, securing resilient supply and waste-stream chains, and achieving political alignment across Europe.
The consensus among participants was clear: securing Europe’s supply of CRMs will require a balanced mix of technology, regulation, market incentives, and cultural change.
Workshop 2: Translating AI/ML Research into Impact in the Manufacturing Industry
This session, attended by iBot4CRMs’ technical coordinator Antonio M. Ortiz (Norce Research), explored pathways to accelerate industrial innovation and digital adoption. The iBot4CRMs team demonstrated how AI and ML research can deliver tangible impact in the manufacturing sector.
Key takeaways from both workshops
- Urban mining and recycling are essential but not sufficient to solve the CRM crisis.
- AI and robotics are critical for enabling cost-effective recovery in Europe.
- Policies such as the CRMA will drive market behavior and encourage circularity.
- Long-term success relies on design innovation, resilient supply chains, and reduced consumption.
- Collaboration is key to overcoming barriers faced by tech suppliers and ensuring operators see technology as a tool to enhance performance and safety.
- Europe is progressing but must accelerate efforts to remain competitive and secure sustainable access to CRMs.
Looking ahead
To conclude our participation, we asked iBot4CRMs’ project partner Rob Arnold (HyProMag): “What impact do you hope our project will have in strengthening Europe’s resilience?” You can hear his perspective in our short interview.
To learn more about how iBot4CRMs is using AI, data, and robotics to enhance Europe’s resilience in CRM supply, watch our newly released 90-second video.