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Plasmetrec

illustration

Plasma Metal Recovery

 

Partners

Hydrométal sa

Silox sa

Carmeuse Research and Technology sa

CRM, Centre de Recherches Métallurgiques

CTP, Centre Terre et Pierre

GeMMe, Université de Liège

 

Duration

8 years

 

Key Words

Recycling, Pyrometallurgy, Hydrometallurgy, Non-ferrous Metals, Critical Metals

 

Context and objectives

The plasma furnace technology is one of Reverse Metallurgy’s key projects and is being developed to treat various secondary materials and wastes for the recovery of non-ferrous metals, some of which are considered critical for the European industry.

 

Hydrometallurgical processes will also be developed to optimize the value of metals produced.

 

Laboratory process developments realized by partners will be scaled up, in particular on the Hydrométal site in Engis, Belgium. The industrial pilots will aim to :

- Test the industrial scaling up of processes developed during the research phase,

- Optimize the operation of the pilots for the various types of materials being tested with the objective to identify as much material as possible to feed an industrial unit in the future.

 

The zinc units produced will be integrated into products based on Silox's expertise to maximize added value.

 

Regarding the valuation of critical metals, we are looking for new opportunities, particularly through collaborations.

 

Expected results

The new processes will contribute to the development of Hydrometal and Silox’s industrial activities. By recovering metals considered rare and critical, such as indium, germanium, cobalt, and rare earths, Hydrometal minimizes the necessity to landfill, thus preserving natural resources.

 

A pyrometallurgical treatment facility would consolidate Hydrometal's existing activity focused on the chemical separation of metals (Hydrometallurgy).

 

The development of new metal concentration processes will provide Hydrometal with an edge against the competition by having the ability to recover critical metals present in low concentration in secondary materials (waste and by-products).

 

The research will allow partners to develop their respective expertise in the field of processing complex materials containing non-ferrous metals