The project leverages predeveloped technologies to establish a market ready pilot unit utilizing novel concepts for material tracing using blockchain (and pan European collection network establishment from the pioneers of the automotive components manufacturers which guarantee the long-term sustainable operation of the unit. The material processing covers the whole chain from pre-treatment using validated technologies from the experts on the CRMs recovery and upstream processing using a microwave assisted leaching methodology enabling lower CO₂ emission process (depending on the feed, reaching up to 80% reduction), compared to commercial processing.
High specification market ready materials are prepared as outputs of the project undergoing a downstream purification and recovery process using solvent extraction and electrowinning, guided by industrial standards for end-use applications, while validated and benchmarked during the course of the project in new automotive products. The processing is automated aiming to a 15%-time reduction compared to current processes with the use of an industrial robot and artificial technology guiding the digitalized and automated sorting and the hydrometallurgical treatment (Industry 4.0 concept). The materials are commercialized at 15% lower price compared to market standards due to the automated innovative cost-efficient processing, CAPEX/OPEX reaching max 70% of product cost.

MONOLITHOS participation role

MONOLITHOS coordinates the project employing a coordination team with strong technical skills and experience in EU projects and will provide its expertise in recycling, materials processing, hydrometallurgy and materials characterization for sustainable process development along with the support from an industrial RTO from Spain focusing on the EoL components sorting. The novel patented hydrometallurgical process developed by MONOLITHOS will be utilized for the extraction of precious and critical metals from different technological products. Monolithos has also a key role in all the steps involved in the recycling process including collection, components pre-processing and the production of market grade metal products.