OUR MISSION
To develop, organise & implement problem-driven, science-deep research & future-oriented education, contributing to the environmentally friendly production & recycling of metals, minerals & engineered materials, supporting (…) a climate-friendly, circular-economy. Read more >














News

Are radiological properties a limiting factor when trying to valorise bauxite residue?
In a new Journal of Cleaner Production paper, SIM² KU Leuven & University of Tartu investigated the presence of natural radionuclides in bauxite residue subjected to a neutralisation-leaching process and smelting-leaching process.

How to recover and purify platinum-group metals from spent autocatalysts?
SOLVOMET/SIM2 KU Leuven researchers developed three methods to recover & purify Pd, Pt and Rh from spent autocatalysts. This work, which was performed in EU PLATIRUS, is featured in journal Johnson Matthey Technology Review.

Design considerations for photocatalytic structured reactors
ProcESS/SIM² KU Leuven researchers investigated the optimal design of translucent photocatalytic structures for the development of small & large-scale photocatalytic reactors. The work was published in Chem. Eng. J.

“Bauxite residue and copper slag mirror each other in terms of chemistry”
Prof. Yiannis Pontikes’ burning desire is to convert bauxite residue (et al.) into green building materials. As one of SIM²‘s founding fathers he passionately leads the SREMat Group (Dept. Materials Engineering, KU Leuven).
Meet our SIM² colleagues

“Bauxite residue and copper slag mirror each other in terms of chemistry”
Prof. Yiannis Pontikes’ burning desire is to convert bauxite residue (et al.) into green building materials. As one of SIM²‘s founding fathers he passionately leads the SREMat Group (Dept. Materials Engineering, KU Leuven).

“Sustainable metallurgy needs young people to start a career in this industry”
Bart Blanpain, one of SIM²‘s founding fathers, is an inspirational KU Leuven Professor leading the HiTemp Group (Dept. Materials Engineering, MTM). His grand mission is to contribute to sustainable metallurgical processing.
Research Results

Resource Recovery through Enhanced Landfill Mining: A Review
Researchers from the Montanuniversität Leoben and SIM² KU Leuven have published a review paper on the academic output that was generated within the EU ETN NEW-MINE project on Resource Recovery from Enhanced Landfill Mining.

Are radiological properties a limiting factor when trying to valorise bauxite residue?
In a new Journal of Cleaner Production paper, SIM² KU Leuven & University of Tartu investigated the presence of natural radionuclides in bauxite residue subjected to a neutralisation-leaching process and smelting-leaching process.