Topic 1 - Ensuring a resilient supply of raw materials from primary sources
We are interested in joining or supporting consortia addressing RAMP Topics 1 and 2.
For Topic 1, we can contribute to the characterization, beneficiation and sustainable processing of primary raw materials, including process mineralogy, comminution, physical separation, hydrometallurgical extraction and environmental assessment.
For Topic 2, we offer expertise in recovering critical and valuable raw materials from mining and industrial residues, WEEE, end-of-life batteries, magnets, incineration ashes and other complex secondary resources.
We are particularly interested in collaborations integrating feedstock characterization, laboratory and bench-scale process development, recovery optimization, assessment of product and residue quality, and environmental safety. We welcome cooperation with raw-material suppliers, technology developers, recyclers, industrial end users and research organisations.
The Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences is a public research organisation combining chemical engineering, materials chemistry, raw-material processing and environmental technologies.
The Research Group of Waste Management and Sustainable Technologies provides integrated expertise in the characterization, beneficiation and hydrometallurgical processing of primary raw materials, secondary resources and waste-derived materials. Our activities cover process mineralogy, liberation analysis, comminution, classification, physical separation, flotation, selective leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, precipitation, crystallization and electrowinning.
Our analytical and process infrastructure includes SEM-EDS, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, automated mineralogy systems such as QEMSCAN and TIMA, particle-size and surface-area analysers, laboratory crushers, mills, sieves and classifiers, magnetic, electrostatic and gravity separation equipment, flotation cells, stirred and pressurised leaching reactors, filtration and solid-liquid separation units, solvent-extraction equipment, ion-exchange columns and electrochemical recovery systems.
The group also performs standardized leaching tests, contaminant mobility studies, waste classification and environmental assessment of products and residues to support their safe recycling, recovery or reuse. Our experience includes the recovery of rare-earth elements from NdFeB magnets, metals from incineration residues and the valorisation of industrial, mining and metallurgical wastes. We can contribute from initial feedstock characterization and laboratory screening to bench-scale process development and validation.
More details can be found here https://www.icpf.cas.cz/en/department/department-of-environmental-engineering/