Process intensification yields chemical and metallurgical processing methods with high materials and energy efficiency. Process digitalisation aims at developing Industry 4.0 tools in order to improve process and data management
Pyro-, hydro-, solvo- and electrometallurgical unit processes are developed and integrated into zero- waste flow sheets for the production and recovery of base metals such as iron and steel, copper, zinc, nickel and lead. Both experimental and modelling methodologies are developed and used. The experimental work covers the full range from lab scale to industrial …
Innovative, efficient – cleantech – processes are developed for the recovery of rare-earth elements (REEs) and other critical metals (PGMs, Ge, In, Sb, Ga, Co, Ta) from end-of-life consumer goods, industrial process residues and low-grade ores. A combined use is made of pyro-, hydro-, solvo-, iono-, and electrometallurgical methods. The recovery of the critical metals …
Upcycling of Low-grade Materials Raw materials and residues are upcycled through innovative processes leading to new applications. The developed processes and materials demonstrate a sustainability advantage over existing ones and are industrially realistic. In terms of raw materials, attention is placed on clays, sludges, ashes, residues and tailings, whereas, as processes, alkali activation, carbonation, (bio-)leaching, …
Sustainability Assessment and Policy Research The Research Line investigates the economic and environmental feasibility of new flow sheets for the recovery of metals and/or minerals from end-of-life consumer goods, industrial process residues and low-grade ores. Particular attention goes out to the legal, social and economic bottlenecks, while assessing also the opportunities and possible incentives for …
Process intensification aims at the development of chemical process technology which allows chemical processing with high materials and energy efficiency.
KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals – Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 – Leuven 3001, Belgium
SIM² KU Leuven is the new KU Leuven Institute on Sustainable Metals and Minerals, one of the 4 flagship KU Leuven Institutes. SIM² 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.