R&D - Project

GEPI4REE Completed

Recovery of rare earths from electronic waste

Specific microflotation system for rare earth ions for the development of a recovery and purification process for Neodymium from electronic waste.

The main objective of this project is to study bioflotation as an alternative for separating and purifying rare earths in solution. To achieve this, the project will develop a biological collector (a reagent with surfactant properties that renders the targeted mineral or ion hydrophobic) capable of recognizing and specifically binding to the targeted rare earth ion, thereby enabling selective separation by flotation. Rare earths are essential raw materials for the energy and digital transition. Currently, the first end-of-life products from the energy transition (hybrid and electric vehicles, scooters, etc.) and digital transition (smartphones, tablets, etc.) are entering the secondary resources market. In Europe, there is currently no industry capable of recovering and recycling, on an industrial scale and economically, the permanent magnets present in these obsolete consumer goods. Learn more about the Gepi4REE project