Maximising value from the urban mine: recycling critical raw materials
Critical raw materials play an essential role in many products, from batteries and laptops to MRI scanners and satellites. However, many raw materials are subject to significant supply risks, for example because their extraction and processing are concentrated in specific countries. Some of these countries are also increasingly using our dependence on these raw materials as a means of political pressure.
Europe aims to recycle 25% of critical raw materials by 2030. To address these challenges, the European Commission has drafted the Critical Raw Materials Act. One of its key targets is that Europe should obtain at least 25% of its critical raw materials from recycling by 2030.
Achieving this target requires not only more waste collection, but also subsequent sorting, pre-processing and ultimately recovery processes specifically targeting critical and strategic raw materials. This requires better insight into where critical raw materials are located, which material streams are currently being lost and where recycling can be made economically viable.
The urban mine
TNO sees recycling as a key pillar of the circular economy. Our research into the Dutch ‘urban mine’, the wealth of raw materials contained in discarded products, shows that there are many opportunities to recover critical raw materials.
In particular, the recycling of materials such as gallium, lithium and dysprosium, which are essential for the semiconductor industry, electric vehicles and wind turbines, can be significantly increased.
TNO focuses on waste streams such as lithium-ion batteries, including those from electric vehicles, solar panels, permanent magnets, including those used in wind turbines, and e-waste. These waste streams contain many critical raw materials and therefore represent a potential source for recycling.
Critical raw materials in the urban mine
| Waste stream | Critical and strategic raw materials | Why it offers potential | TNO focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion batteries (NMC, LFP) | Lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, phosphate | Growing volumes due to electric vehicles and high concentrations of critical materials | Development of hydrometallurgical recycling technologies and reuse options |
| Solar panels | Silicon, copper | Growing waste stream | Recovery and value chain analysis |
| E-waste and printed circuit boards | Copper, nickel, gallium, platinum, palladium | Large volumes, but CRM concentrations are dispersed | Material Flow Analysis, improved sorting and pre-processing |
| Permanent magnets (wind turbines, air conditioners, electric vehicles and appliances) | Neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium, terbium | Lack of targeted sorting and dismantling, combined with high supply risks | Designing circular value chains |
Our research
Circular electronics
The Dutch electronics value chain is still largely linear, causing valuable and critical raw materials to be lost. Discover which combination of reduced material use, repair, reuse, improved collection and high-quality recycling is needed to create a circular electronics value chain.
Li-ion battery recycling
The Netherlands has ambitious goals for recycling Li-ion batteries, but current capacity is lagging behind. Discover what the Netherlands can do to accelerate the industrialisation of battery recycling and how this can contribute to the security of supply of critical raw materials and strategic autonomy.
Improving hydrometallurgical recycling of LFP
TNO research has shown that the hydrometallurgical recycling of LFP can be improved by electrifying the chemical process. This allows chemicals and water streams to be reused, significantly reducing process costs, CO₂ emissions and chemical waste. This innovation offers a future perspective for LFP recycling.
Unlocking the potential of the urban mine
At TNO, we are working towards a future in which electronic waste, or e-waste, is not lost but instead serves as a source of valuable raw materials. We do this by mapping the entire recycling value chain, from collection through to the recovery of pure materials.
We combine technological innovation with a system-wide perspective and work with partners on solutions that are sustainable, circular and economically viable. In this way, we unlock the value of the urban mine in three ways:
TNO systematically maps which critical materials are present in discarded devices and how they can best be recovered.
We identify ‘hotspots’ where the greatest gains can be achieved and develop strategies to improve collection, sorting and recycling. By promoting transparency and collaboration between manufacturers, recyclers and researchers, we help create a more effective recycling system.
We develop advanced recycling technologies that are not only more sustainable and circular, but also deliver higher recovery yields. One recent example is our new technology for recycling batteries from electric vehicles more efficiently.
In addition to Li-ion batteries, we apply these technologies to materials including printed circuit boards and solar panels. Our innovations focus on overcoming the technological and economic barriers that hinder the recovery of valuable materials.
By sharing our knowledge of material flows and environmental impacts, we contribute to better decision-making. We analyse the impact of different policy options and support the development of regulations that encourage the recycling of critical materials.
Our knowledge of the entire value chain enables us to make targeted recommendations for more effective raw materials policies. We also help companies identify and realise opportunities to recover more critical materials.
Explore further
Critical raw materials
Discover how TNO contributes to greater autonomy in critical raw materials. From strategic insights to innovative technologies, find out how we help strengthen security of supply and reduce Europe’s dependencies.
Batteries
Batteries play a key role in the energy transition, from electric mobility to renewable energy storage. Discover how TNO is working on better, safer and more circular battery solutions, from development and application to reuse and recycling.
Discover the opportunities
Are you facing challenges around security of supply, dependence on imports or a lack of insight into secondary raw material streams? TNO offers solutions for making smart use of urban mining, from mapping stocks of critical raw materials to developing circular value chains and policies. Would you like to find out more about our circular solutions for critical raw materials? Get in touch with us.
Contact us
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Wouter de Wolf
Functie:Business Developer Circular EconomyContact me to partner with TNO on Circular Economy related topics like: Recycling and other R-strategies, Critical Raw Materials and Environmental Impact Assessment (LCA).
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Standplaats:Utrecht - Princetonlaan
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Email:Email Wouter
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LinkedIn:Wouter on LinkedIn
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Devin Boom
Functie:Senior Scientist Circular Strategies and Critical Raw MaterialsContact Devin if you want to talk about sustainable recycling, circular chemistry, battery recycling or critical raw materials.
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Standplaats:Utrecht - Princetonlaan
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Email:Email Devin
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