FREECOVER Showcases Circular Solutions for Critical Raw Materials at ISMEC 2026
The FREECOVER project participated in the International Symposium on Microscale Separations and Bioanalysis (ISMEC 2026), held from 15–18 June 2026 in Udine, Italy, bringing its expertise in sustainable recovery of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and circular solutions for critical raw materials to an international scientific audience.
Hosted by the University of Udine, ISMEC 2026 brought together researchers, industry representatives, and innovation stakeholders working at the forefront of analytical chemistry, separation sciences, materials recovery, and sustainable technologies.
FREECOVER partners actively contributed to the scientific programme through presentations and discussions addressing innovative approaches for the recovery, separation, and valorisation of critical raw materials from secondary sources.
The event provided an important platform to showcase the project’s interdisciplinary research, combining green chemistry, hydrometallurgical processes, advanced separation technologies, and sustainability assessment methodologies to support Europe’s transition towards a circular economy.
FREECOVER coordinators Professor Andrea Melchior and Professor Marilena Tolazzi from the University of Udine engaged with participants throughout the symposium, strengthening international collaboration and fostering new opportunities for knowledge exchange across academia and industry.
Participation in ISMEC 2026 also highlighted the importance of integrating scientific innovation with environmental and socio-economic considerations. Through its research activities, FREECOVER contributes to developing low-impact solutions that reduce dependence on primary raw materials while supporting the European Union’s strategic objectives for critical raw materials resilience.
As a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges project, FREECOVER continues to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, researcher mobility, and international networking to accelerate the development of sustainable technologies for critical raw material recovery.
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