Critical raw materials (CRMs) are economically and strategically important for the European economy but have a high risk associated with their supply. In many instances, CRM primary extraction is limited to a few locations outside of Europe. To achieve a transition toward a decarbonised world, secondary raw materials (SRMs) need to play an increasing role and help to diversify the supply sources of CRMs.
FutuRaM, a Horizon Europe funded project, is establishing a methodology, reporting structure, and guidance to improve the raw materials knowledge base up to 2050. It will integrate SRM and CRM data to model the current stocks and flows, and further develop, demonstrate and align SRM recovery projects with the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) for Resources to enable the commercial exploitation of SRMs and CRMs by manufacturers, recyclers, and investors. FutuRaM will focus on six waste streams: batteries; electrical and electronic equipment; vehicles; mining; slags and ashes; and construction and demolition.
UNECE Sustainable Energy Resource Management Week
We were pleased to be invited by the organisers to arrange and deliver a session at the annual UNECE Resource Management Week in Geneva. The conference, ‘Assuring Sustainability in Resource Management’ covered the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) for Resources, a central focus of FutuRaM, and gave us the opportunity to address an audience of key policy makers and regulators from within and outside the EU.
Our session, titled ‘Secondary Raw Materials in Practice: Applying UNFC to Anthropogenic Resources’, explained how the UNFC methodology, developed for primary raw materials is now being applied to secondary raw materials in FutuRaM and tested in a series of case studies. The session was delivered by a group of six FutuRaM partners and covered case studies on mining waste (Finland & Sweden), embedded electronics in end-of-life vehicles (Switzerland), and batteries in WEEE (France).
UNECE x FutuRaM Webinar
The Resource Management Week had been preceded in late March by a webinar also organised by UNECE and DG GROW that gave a detailed introduction to the UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) for Secondary Raw Materials, which is a focus of FutuRaM. Ronald Arvidsson (Geological Survey of Sweden), Daniel Monfort (French Geological Survey, BRGM) and Soraya Heuss-Aßbichler (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich) represented the project with Andrea Winterstetter (KRAIBURG TPE) and Rudolf Suppes (Holcim) also sharing their experiences of UNFC applied to secondary raw materials.
FutuRaM project represented at Circular Minerals Workshop
On 22 March 2023, a workshop focusing on how re-mining and waste-free mine designs can contribute to the green transition was held in Espoo, Finland. Organised by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Lappeenranta Technological University (LUT), Oulu University (OU), and Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT), the event comprised of two sessions: re-mining and designing out waste.
Overall, the event underscored the importance of re-mining and waste-free design in the mining industry to promote a circular economy and contribute to the green transition. By learning from other industries, such as forestry, mining can become more sustainable and efficient, reducing the amounts of waste and environmental impact.
Modelling Workshop and Hackathon for FutuRaM
The two-day workshop at CML in Leiden proved to be an instrumental platform for the FutuRaM project. It not only facilitated progress but also nurtured cohesion and bonding within the modelling team.
The development of an integrated system model quantifying material flows in Europe’s SRM system, along with their environmental and social impacts until 2050, is a highly complex and challenging task.
The model stands as a central deliverable of the FutuRaM project, with the potential to significantly influence decision-making processes in the public and private sectors in the coming decades.
The workshop marked a promising start and the team looks forward to continued collaboration and development over the next few years in their drive to produce a robust and valuable tool that enhances understanding of the SRM and CRM systems.
Meet Our Researchers
FutuRaM involves 28 partners (associations, companies, universities) and over 100 experts from different scientific and technical fields covering six waste streams: batteries, electrical and electronic equipment, vehicles, mining; slags and ashes, and construction and demolition. Our researchers often engage in passionate conversations across their fields and most importantly about the relevance of this project. Their enthusiasm is infectious and we are excited to introduce you to Teemu Karlsson from The Geological Survey of Finland.
Third Consortium Meeting
TU Berlin welcomed FutuRaM partners to EINS - An Open Space for Sustainable Innovation on 14th and 15th June for an opportunity to discuss the progression of the research at the project’s third consortium meeting.
As FutuRaM is now 12 months old, the consortium, among other tasks, took the chance to go back to basics and remind itself what the outcomes will be and how they will contribute to change within and outside the sphere of critical raw materials and circular economy. During this session, partners went on a journey from 2023 to 2050 and produced seven wonderfully illustrated visions of the ideal impact of FutuRaM.
Join the FutuRaM Stakeholder Network
A crucial part of the FutuRaM project will be the input of stakeholders from all parts of the value chain. The project needs to be in touch with interested individuals and organisations to get their input on the many facets of the work it is undertaking. If you are involved in work on any of the focus waste streams, have an interest in CRMs and SRMs, would like to share your thoughts and experiences on the application of the UNFC for Resources methodology, or work in relevant areas of data, statistics, or investment, then we would be grateful for your input. It may be that you only want to keep in touch.
