The SINCER project is investigating the recovery of essential, key metals found in industrial waste from various sources in the metal industry.
Last January saw the start of the SINCER project (Industrial Symbiosis for Circularity and Economy of Essential Raw Materials), subsidised by the CDTI and supported by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the Science and Innovation Missions programme. This project has a total budget of €5,963,143, and has received funding of €3,543,450.
SINCER came about from the need to explore new routes and processes for transforming, recovering and recycling key metals from multi-source industrial waste from the metal industry that is currently discarded. The main aim is to promote effective industrial symbiosis through research into sustainable technologies for the recovery and valorisation of essential metals (Mn, Si, Mg, Ni, Cr) and key (Zn, Fe) that can be found in this waste.
This research is being led by Ferroglobe, a world leader in the production of silicon metal and ferroalloys. Five other companies are also involved in the consortium (Técnicas Reunidas, Sidenor, Autlán, Magnesitas Navarras and Semantic), together with nine research organisations, including the GAIKER Technology Centre, which is a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA).
The four-year project aims to close material cycles and make it easier to reincorporate them into both original processes and new strategic applications, such as batteries, magnets and alloys.
To achieve these objectives, SINCER will combine hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes, together with advanced processing and separation technologies, in order to maximise the recovery of resources and improve the circularity of strategic raw materials. As a result, up to nine waste streams are expected to be recovered from the activities of four industrial partners: Ferroglobe, Sidenor, Autlán and Magnesitas Navarras.
GAIKER has extensive experience in recycling and the circular economy, and has the capacity to design, develop and evaluate specific recycling processes aimed at obtaining materials of the highest quality. It also has in-depth knowledge of methodologies for assessing sustainability. As such, it will be responsible for characterising and treating waste, recovering metals and carrying out life-cycle analyses in this research.
Ultimately, SINCER will contribute to consolidating a robust circular economy around key raw materials, which will help to reduce external dependence and provide high-value scientific and technological knowledge for industry.
Subsidised by the CDTI. Exp. 00179404 / MIG-20251225
