SIM² KU Leuven researchers unraveled the electrodeposition behaviour of Ga in a non-aqueous electrolyte. The authors were given the opportunity to design the front cover of the journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP).

SIM²/SOLVOMET developed a new solvometallurgical process, using methanesulfonic acid (MSA), for the selective recovery of REEs from spent fluorescent lamps. The work was published in Industrial Engineering and Chemistry Research.

In a new paper in Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., SIM² KU Leuven – SOLVOMET researchers have revealed the mechanism why FeCl3 facillitates the most efficient extraction of lithium with tri-n-butyl phosphate from magnesium-rich brine.

SIM² KU Leuven – SOLVOMET researchers developed a new closed-loop metal recovery process for NdFeB-based permanent magnets. The work was published in the journal Separation and Purification technology.

SIM² KU Leuven – SOLVOMET/PROCESS researchers developed a new method for the measurement of chlorides in ionic liquids using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF). The work was published in ACS Omega.

The lifecycle engineering (LCE) research group (SIM² KU Leuven) has explored a new method to classify cast and wrought aluminium scrap. The presented research is an essential step towards improved metal sorting and recycling.

SIM² KU Leuven geologists have revealed a close relationship between the geometry of W-Sn and Nb-Ta-Li bearing hydrothermal veins and pegmatites in Iberia and the deformation processes active during the Variscan orogeny.

SOLVOMET/SIM² KU Leuven researchers developed a predictive molecular thermodynamic model, enabling a more efficient design of future (battery-grade) cobalt solvent extraction flowsheets. The work was published in ACS Omega.

SOLVOMET/SIM2 KU Leuven & VITO researchers developed a process to recover copper from dilute ammoniacal leachates of microwave-roasted Cu-Zn-Pb sulphidic tailings. The work was published in Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy.

SIM² researchers have succeeded in electrodepositing the rare earths neodymium & dysprosium at ambient temperatures from organic electrolytes. The paper was offered the front cover of Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics.

Within the ETN SULTAN project, Wienerberger & SIM² KU Leuven researchers studied the potential blending of sulfidic mining waste in new ceramic roof tiles and blocks. The work was published in Journal of Geochemical Exploration.

SIM2 KU Leuven’s Koen Binnemans and Peter Tom Jones published a Comment article “Rare-earth recycling needs market intervention” in Nature Reviews Materials (IF = 75). The paper was co-authored by magnet expert Paul McGuiness.

SOLVOMET/SIM² researchers have published a critical review paper in the high-impact journal “Chemical Reviews” on the oxidative dissolution of metals in organic solvents, which can offer a solution when aqueous systems fail.

In the framework of the SiDrive H2020 project, LCE/SIM² KU Leuven researchers developed a dynamic model to forecast the flow of vehicle batteries through the different lifecycle stages. The work was published in Waste Management.

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.

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.

Researchers from Wageningen University and SIM² KU Leuven reviewed recent SLO-literature and concluded that the way how SLO is conceptualised and often implemented in practice, does little to enhance the legitimacy of resource extraction.