Clean technology and recycling | Research and Innovation

Sun, seawater and sewage: microalgae can thrive on feedstock that is freely available and the resulting biomass can be used to make high-value products such as biostimulants and biopesticides. But can this be done viably on a large scale? Let us demonstrate, say EU-funded researchers building an integrated biorefinery.

Add to pdf basket

Creating high-value chemicals from waste

EU-funded researchers have developed new bio-processes to create high-value chemicals from the waste resulting from bio-diesel production. A true addition to the circular economy, their achievements promise a better and greener chemical industry.

Add to pdf basket

Extracting and recycling vital metals to tackle supply risk

Essential for manufacturing high-tech products, rare earth metals are in short supply. EU-funded research is investigating how to extract rare earth magnets from electric vehicle motors and recycle them, in a move that could also create jobs in Europe's materials sector.

Add to pdf basket

Green manufacturing for the pharmaceutical industry

An EU and industry-funded project has developed environmentally friendly chemistry processes for drug manufacturing. As well as being better for the planet, the new processes will also enable the industry to cut costs and could lead to cheaper medicines for patients.

Add to pdf basket

From urban biowaste burden to useful bio-based plastic

So much waste ... what could we do with it, beyond producing energy and compost? EU-funded researchers are looking into ways to turn biowaste generated in our cities - notably by homes, restaurants and shops - into a number of bio-based products by means of integrated biorefineries.

Add to pdf basket

A new shine on nickel-plating processes

An EU-funded project has developed a new, eco-efficient waste treatment process for nickel plating that cuts industry costs and contributes to the resource conservation objectives of the circular economy. In addition to clear environmental benefits, it also gives a sharper competitive edge to European SMEs.

Add to pdf basket

Wastewater, an underexploited resource

Processing urban wastewater is typically limited to cleaning it up for release into the environment. This is a shame, because it contains compounds that could be put to good use - as could the water itself. EU-funded researchers have tested promising innovations to advance resource-efficient processing, recovery of substances, and re-use.

Add to pdf basket

Dairy products - without the waste

Dairy foods are a healthy part of many people's diets. Now milk powder and mozzarella-type cheese could become healthier for the environment as well. EU-funded researchers are applying new techniques to production lines to save energy and water, while finding uses for processing waste. Results to date include a new pasteurisation technique and microwave heating process.

Add to pdf basket

Giving sustainable construction a strong platform

A new software platform by an EU-funded project will help Europe's construction sector to develop new sustainable and cost-effective supply chains that reduce waste, make use of high quality recycled products and create new market opportunities.

Add to pdf basket

Next-generation electric motor hits the road

Is it possible to produce electric cars on a very large scale? At the moment, this can depend on costly materials that must be imported. More specifically, this concern relates to the rare earth magnets on which their motors tend to rely. EU-funded researchers have developed promising technology that works without them.

PDF Basket

No article selected

Filter stories

Country

Theme

Framework programme

Project acronym

Project number

Project coordinator

Project start date

Project end date