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Innovative e-waste recycling processes for greener and more efficient recoveries of critical metals and energy

Project Details

Description

End-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) is an alternative source of critical metals and energy, with the potential to significantly supplement the primary sources that are becoming scarcer. Currently, high-temperature processing of e-waste is the main method in Europe for the critical metals recovery. To attain a higher recycling efficiency with less impact on the environment, the prevailing high-temperature recycling processes need to be improved. Therefore, the aim of this research is to develop innovative solutions for higher recycling efficiencies while avoiding emissions in the high-temperature processes. To achieve these goals, experiments and modeling focused on improving the high-temperature processes will be conducted. This research is bold and a step forward in this research direction, and the new thermochemical data to be developed will also have impact on the next-generation materials processing technologies and enable the move towards a circular economy.

This project is funded by Svenska kulturfonden/The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland (1.4.2022 - 31.3.2023), K.H. Renlund Foundation/K. H. Renlunds stiftelse (1.1.2023 - 31.12.2023), Åbo Akademi University, and Metso Outotec Metals Oy.
Short titleE-waste recycling
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date01/01/22 → 31/12/23

Collaborative partners

UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  2. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  3. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  4. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  5. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action

Keywords

  • Circular Economy
  • Recycling
  • Renewable Energy
  • Metals
  • Metallurgical Thermodynamics

  • Green and Low-carbon Extractive Metallurgy of Nonferrous Metals

    Shen, L., Tesfaye, F. & Peng, H., May 2025, In: JOM Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society. 77, 5, p. 3008-3014 6 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific

  • Graphite recovery from waste Li-ion battery black mass for direct re-use

    Chernyaev, A., Kobets, A., Liivand, K., Tesfaye, F., Hannula, P.-M., Kallio, T., Hupa, L. & Lundström, M., Mar 2024, In: Minerals Engineering. 208, p. 1-12 12 p., 108587.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

    Open Access
    File
    30 Citations (Scopus)
    204 Downloads (Pure)

  • Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamic Properties of Selected Compounds in the Ag–Ga–S–AgBr System for Modern Application in Energy Conversion Devices

    Moroz, M., Tesfaye, F., Demchenko, P., Prokhorenko, M., Rudyk, B., Pereviznyk, O., Mastronardo, E., Lindberg, D., Reshetnyak, O. & Hupa, L., 2024, Energy Technology 2024: Carbon Dioxide Management and Other Technologies. Iloeje, C., Alam, S., Guillen, D. P., Tesfaye, F., Zhang, L., Hockaday, S. A., Neelameggham, N. R., Peng, H., Haque, N., Yücel, O. & Baba, A. A. (eds.). 1 ed. Swizerland: Springer, Cham, Vol. 1. p. 257-268 (Minerals, Metals and Materials Series).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Published conference proceeding › Scientific › peer-review

    Open Access
    File
    54 Downloads (Pure)
View all 23 research outputs
  • 4 Organising a conference, symposium or workshop
  • 3 Conference presentation
  • 1 Editorial work
View all 8 activities