Advances Green Technologies for Rare Earth Recycling
On 23 January 2026, the FREECOVER consortium gathered at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Sala de Juntes – Facultat Ciències, for the Project Month 13 (M13) Meeting, marking a key milestone in the implementation of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges (MSCA-SE) project.
The meeting focused on reviewing progress across all Work Packages, evaluating scientific results, coordinating secondments, and preparing upcoming deliverables. According to the official programme, the day featured structured technical sessions, partner updates, and strategic discussions aimed at accelerating FREECOVER’s mission: eco-friendly hydrometallurgy for Rare Earth Element (REE) recycling.
Technical Progress Across Work Packages
The day opened with a general overview of project status and deliverables, followed by presentations from each Work Package leader:
WP1 – Eco-friendly Ionic Liquids
Prof. S. Gadžurić (UNSPMF) presented progress on the design and synthesis of novel ionic liquids and the development of supported ionic liquid membranes. These green solvents aim to replace conventional hazardous chemicals while improving metal separation efficiency.
WP2 – Selective Extraction of REEs
Dr. T. Trtić-Petrović (VINS) shared advances in solution speciation studies and extraction performance of ionic liquids, demonstrating improved selectivity for rare earth recovery.
WP3 – Natural Adsorbents for Water Treatment
Prof. M. López Mesas (UAB) presented research on natural adsorbents, including sustainable materials for water purification and reuse, integrating circular economy principles into wastewater treatment.
WP4 – Integrated Recovery Process
Ó. J. Prado Rubianes (AERIS) introduced the design of integrated pilot modules combining adsorption, separation membranes, and water recycling, supporting scale-up and industrial feasibility.
WP5 – Communication & Dissemination
Dr. Leonardo Piccinetti (SITES) reported on FREECOVER’s dissemination strategy, website growth, training activities, outreach events, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring visibility and societal impact.
WP6 – Project Management
Prof. Andrea Melchior (UNIUD) concluded with management updates, quality assurance, secondment planning, and coordination with the European Commission.
Strengthening Collaboration
Beyond the technical sessions, the meeting enabled:
- exchange of experimental results
- planning of new secondments
- coordination of deliverables
- strengthening cooperation between academic and SME partners
Laboratory demonstrations and material samples showcased tangible progress in membrane development and sustainable recovery materials, highlighting FREECOVER’s practical and application-oriented approach.
Looking Ahead
The M13 Meeting confirmed that FREECOVER is advancing steadily toward its objective of developing low-impact, sustainable processes for rare earth recycling, supporting Europe’s circular economy and strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.
Further secondments, pilot demonstrations, and dissemination activities are scheduled throughout the coming months.
