Welcome to SIM² KU Leuven
SIM² KU Leuven’s mission is to develop, organise and implement problem-driven, science-deep research and future-oriented education, contributing to the
environmentally friendly production and recycling of metals, minerals and engineered materials, supporting the transition to a climate-friendly, circular-economy.
News
Global stakeholders launch the Rare Earth Industry Association (REIA)
Last week the global association for rare-earth industry stakeholders, was officially erected. SIM² KU Leuven is happy to have contributed to this milestone for the global rare earth community and will continue to support “REIA”.
ETN DEMETER in the spotlight…again!
The EU Research Executive Agency selected DEMETER as the Marie Skłodowska Curie project to be featured in the REA 10th anniversary video. Gwen Bailey explains the importance of the DEMETER research for clean mobility in the EU.
Ensuring the SLO concept is adaptive and resilient
“Ensuring that ‘Social License to Operate’ (SLO) is Adaptive and Resilient” was the topic of a recent workshop organized by EU MIREU (supported by NEMO, CROCODILE & TARANTULA). This article reflects upon the key lessons learned.
New video released on reprocessing of tailings (ETN SULTAN)
The ETN SULTAN team has just released its official (animated) video on the reprocessing of tailings. SULTAN Researcher Jillian Helser explains how the SULTAN target is to transform mining waste (tailings) into valuable products.
Meet SIM² researchers
Meet our SIM² KU Leuven colleague: Innovation Manager Marion Bechtold
Marion Bechtold is a new IOF innovation manager in the field of innovative materials for a circular economy. She also coordinates the Leuven Materials Research Center (MRC) and represents it at (inter)national platforms.
Meet our SIM² KU Leuven researcher: Prof. Philippe Muchez
Philippe Muchez is professor at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the KU Leuven and dean of the Faculty of Science. His is head of the Ore Geology and Geofluids research unit. Philippe Muchez coordinates one of SIM² KU Leuven’s flagship EU projects: EU H2020 ETN SULTAN and
Research Results
Highly selective process developed to recover germanium
Germanium is a precious metal which is mainly used as a semiconductor in electronics and infrared optic industries, and as a polymerisation catalyst for the production of polyethylene terephthalate. Due to its high supply risk and its high economic importance, germanium is considered as one of Europe’s critical metals.
Solvometallurgical recovery of metals from SmCo magnets
A solvometallurgical route for recycling of SmCo permanent magnets was developed by researchers from the SOLVOMET Group (SIM² KU Leuven). The method is based on non-aqueous solvent extraction to minimize water consumption.
The work is published in Separation and Purification Technology.
