Partners
REMHub brings together 24 partners from five countries, each contributing unique expertise to strengthen Europe’s rare earth element (REE) value chain. From research institutions and industry leaders to technology innovators, our partners are critical in developing sustainable REE sourcing, recycling, and innovation solutions. Meet the partners driving this transformative project forward.
CLIC Innovation
CLIC Innovation is a Finnish open innovation cluster specializing in fostering collaboration in research, development, and innovation (RDI). It focuses on advancing sustainable solutions in energy systems, circular economy, and bioeconomy. As a neutral orchestrator, CLIC brings together businesses, research organizations, and public actors to accelerate the development of impactful technologies and systemic solutions.
As the project coordinator, CLIC Innovation oversees the overall management and coordination of REMHub. It leads Work Packages WP1 (Project Management), WP7 (Impact and Stakeholder Engagement), and WP8 (Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation).
Contact: merie.kannampuzha@clicinnovation.fi
University of Oulu
The University of Oulu is an international science university that creates new knowledge, well-being and innovations for the future through research and education. The University of Oulu, founded in 1958, is one of the largest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. The University of Oulu has eight faculties and many specialized research units.
The University of Oulu (UOulu), which is receiving over 2 million euros will share the responsibilities among three research units: Environmental and Chemical Engineering (ECE), Oulu Mining School (OMS) and Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM). The focus area for UOulu includes, innovative refining and separation technologies utilizing hybrid membrane-based technologies, novel REEs processing involving ores crushing and grinding using novel Continuously Compressing Crushers (CCC), quality assurance and risk management, KPIs monitoring strategy for hub development, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building.
Contact persons:
Doc. Dr. Nora Jullok (Nora.Jullok@oulu.fi)
Doc. Dr. Satu Pitkäaho (satu.pitkaaho@oulu.fi)
Prof. Shenghong Yang (shenghong.yang@oulu.fi)
Prof. Harri Haapasalo (harri.haapasalo@oulu.fi)
University of Helsinki
Our research focuses on the investigation of novel catalytic systems and/-or processes for small molecule activation related to major chemical transformations including oxidation, reduction, C-H activation and C-C coupling reactions and research in recycling of noble metals using organic media. In a larger context, the results from this research can influence the environmental and health implications of mining and sustainable processing of noble metals from mineral and secondary resources. Our aim is to design sustainable and selective metal regeneration procedures using organic media as well as the design of polymers with trapping capabilities for the intake of REEs from side and waste streams.
Weeefiner
Weeefiner is a Finnish pioneer in the recovery of metals and nutrients, offering innovative water treatment solutions across various industries, especially for the mining and metal sectors. The company’s mission is to promote the circular use of dissolved raw materials and drive the adoption of sustainable water treatment practices. Weeefiner’s own technology, 4D Scavenger®, is an advanced water treatment technology designed for the selective recovery of dissolved raw materials from water and liquid solutions. This technology stands out with its unforeseen selectivity, compact design, and efficiency, effectively addressing the challenges of modern industrial water treatment. By significantly reducing waste and enabling the reuse and recycling of raw materials, 4D Scavenger® technology makes water treatment both profitable and responsible. Weeefiner’s solutions pave the way for a more sustainable and resource-efficient future in industrial water management.
Contact: timo.galkin@weeefiner.fi
Muon Solutions
Description coming soon!
Terrafame
Terrafame enhances low-carbon mobility by delivering responsibly produced battery chemicals to the global battery industry. One of the world’s largest production lines for chemicals used in electric vehicle batteries is located on Terrafame’s industrial site. The plant is capable of producing nickel sulphate for around 1 million EVs per year. The carbon footprint of the nickel sulphate produced by Terrafame is among the smallest in the industry.
Terrafame’s integrated, unique and energy-efficient production process from the mine to battery chemicals is located on a single industrial site. It provides customers with a transparent, traceable and truly European battery chemical supply chain.
Terrafame Ltd was founded in 2015. Its net sales in 2023 were EUR 560.9 million. Around 1,900 people work on its industrial site, slightly over half of whom are employees of partner companies.
We participate to the project by researching the recovery of rare earth metals from the side-streams of the mining industry as part of a research consortium.
Contact: info@terrafame.fi
PoLiMi
Politecnico di Milano is a public scientific-technological university which trains engineers, architects and industrial designers. The University has always focused on the quality and innovation of its teaching and research, developing a fruitful relationship with business and productive world by means of experimental research and technological transfer. It also wants to be a solid, recognisable and reliable reference point for sustainable development in Italy and Europe.
The Politecnico di Milano is involved in the REMhub project through the Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering ”Giulio Natta”, the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies.
The Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering ”Giulio Natta” common vision is that the sciences and technologies of chemistry, chemical and materials engineering, and life sciences significantly contribute to identifying safe, cost-effective and sustainable solutions to current challenges in multi-disciplinary fields such as processes. The Department is involved in REMHub project with a focus on precious metals and Rare Earths recovery from side streams, sustainability analysis, and capacity building
The Department of Mechanical Engineering focuses on developing innovative materials processing conditions and manufacturing technologies aimed at promoting sustainable and safe solutions for industry and society. The Department is actively involved in the REMHuB project, aiming to assess the potential use of recycled materials in additive manufacturing, particularly in sinter-based processes such as binder jetting, to enable the production of customized, high-performance permanent magnets.
The Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, is engaged in the REMhub project with a focus on capacity building, stakeholder engagement, social acceptability, and, more broadly, fostering environmental awareness among citizens.
Contact: paolo.carli@polimi.it & cinzia.cristiani@polimi.it
OPIGEO
OPIGEO is a spin-off of the University of Padua specialized in microstructural research on inorganic materials and in the formulation of binders for construction. The key advantage is the use of industrial waste in fomulations. In that sense Opigeo has become a centre of reference for leading industrial companies, interested in Circular Economy with a special focus on siderurgical industries. The permanent staff is composed by chemical engineers and material scientists supervised by senior advisors both from University and from Industry.
Contact: manuela.brotto@opigeo.eu
OSAI
OSAI Automation System S.p.A. SB is an Italian SME that operates in the field of industrial automation as a system integrator. OSAI expertise focused on special processes and avant-garde solutions in niche applications from medical to semiconductors, automotive, high-tech and in the last few years Circular Economy. Concerning automation applied to re-use, recovery and recycling (e.g. dismantling approaches) OSAI develops implants or systems for such fields of applications. Each system is designed for the specific customer application and features the latest technologies. OSAI solutions for electronics, e-mobility and semiconductors, for example, includes ad hoc solutions for cutting, testing, and assembly, thus applying a scalable concept and a modular approach to machine design facing automatic and manual operation in industrial production lines both for assembly and dismantling purpose. OSAI solution for Circular Economy faced in the development of a system able to remove components from PCB boards (from WEEE) and to prepare them through selection (AI and machine learning based) and sorting techniques for the subsequent hydrometallurgical recovery of precious metals.
OSAI’s role in REMHub project comes from the nature of the company and the expertise in act as a system integrator and technology provider. Osai interact with the other partners in different field of applications, to develop test and pilot novel technologies for exploration and primary production of rare earths and recovering rare earths from side streams to enhance supply security of REEs in EU. In particular, the main role in the project consists in the application of the automation solution and robotics expertise to the scale-up of systems for physical and mechanical separation technologies of rare earths and valuable metals from waste.
Contact: info@osai-as.it; rdproject@osai-as.com
Aimen
AIMEN Technology Centre, with more than 56 years of history, is currently a national and European benchmark in research, development and technological innovation in the areas of advanced manufacturing and laser manufacturing, digital technologies for manufacturing, smart materials, smart systems and recycling; as well as in the provision of differentiating technological services to the industry in the areas of manufacturing with advanced joining technologies, robotics and process digitization, a flexible cross-engineering service highly specialised in welding, corrosion, equipment calculation, product simulation and material tests.
AIMEN will provide their knowledge in digital solution and materials science to achieve the goal of manufacture new magnets of NdFeB new and recycled powder, using additive manufacturing technologies like DED and FFF. AIMEN also contribute to the repairing of magnets using laser Adittive Manufacturing.
Contact: Marcos.diez@aimen.es
ICAMCyL
ICAMCYL is a non-profit research foundation created by the automotive, manufacturing, advanced materials, mining and processing of raw materials sectors of Castilla y León (Spain). ICAMCYL acts as the Regional Innovation Network, linked to many European municipalities and various industries. It contributes to two Strategic European Alliances and industrial platforms, related to advanced materials for batteries and mining (S3P-Industry and S3-CoP). ICAMCYL is specialized in innovation procurement: Our expertise axes extend to mineral & strategic resources, advanced raw materials & industrial technologies, energy storage, capture, storage and re-use of CO2, among others. We are actively engaged in coordination and management of projects related to life-cycle assessment, value chain design, and innovation policy and creation of ecosystems including cascade funding management, enhancing the raw materials possibilities in a sustainable context for EU. With a strong presence in the European Innovation Platform of Raw Materials (EIP Raw Materials) and key EU initiatives like MIREU (”Mining and Metallurgy regions of EU”), we contribute significantly to the fields of circular economy and raw materials processing and reuse.
ICAMCYL’s contributions to the REMHub project are centered around promoting innovation, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the sustainable development and commercialization of rare earth metal technologies. Based on our previous experiences in the PMs sector and hubs, ICAMCyL will help to foster involvement among stakeholders across the rare earth metals (REEs) value chain, enhancing public awareness, influencing policy development, and applying the Penta helix approach to engagement. Additionally, ICAMCYL will be involved in establishing a roadmap and innovation hub for commercializing and scaling REMHub technologies. This includes contribution to conducting market analysis, developing scalable business models, creating a digital platform, and increasing awareness of rare earths and their applications.
Contact: Projects(at)icamcyl.com
IMI
Founded in 2017, the Institute for Methods Innovation is a scientific, charitable and non-profit institute that delivers education and research to improve standards and quality of social scientific research, evaluation and innovation evidence for public benefit. To achieve this public benefit, we aim to advance the institutional capacities of science communication and informal learning institutions to use evidence-based methods with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for their audiences.
With registered offices in Ireland and the United States, we are advocates for using evidence-based decision-making as a catalyst for societal changes. Our deep base of experience in policy, audience and stakeholder research orients our provision of training, advice and other support designed to enable individuals and organisations to be self-sufficient in their use of social research and evaluation.
The Institute for Methods Innovation leads WP6: Stakeholder engagement and tasks related to ethical good practices, data management, impact planning, policy impact and public engagement.
Contact: oliver@methodsinnovation.org
University of Ljubljana
The University of Ljubljana (UL) is Slovenia’s premier research institution, founded in 1919 and consisting of 23 faculties, 3 art academies, and 3 associated members. The university offers studies in the natural sciences, engineering, social studies, humanities, and the arts, and has a current enrolment of 38,000 students, including approx. 10% foreign students. The Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at UL fosters fundamental, applied, and developmental research in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, and technical safety, striving to achieve excellence.
In collaboration with Weeefiner and the University of Helsinki, we will develop:
- 3D printed porous polymers containing metal scavengers for trapping of Rare Earth Elements (REEs), focusing on Nd, Sm, and Dy, &
- Green solvent systems for the selective leaching and precipitation of these REEs.
Contact: marjan.jereb@fkkt.uni-lj.si
Magneti Ljubljana
Magneti Ljubljana is a European manufacturer of permanent metallic magnets, bonded magnets and magnetic systems with a long-lasting tradition, since 1951.
We will focus on producing sintered magnets using current powder metallurgy techniques to prove that recycled REEs have the same quality and purity as virgin metals and that these magnets can be used in variety of applications.
Contact: matej.zaplotnik@magneti.si, edin.miljkovic@magneti.si
Domel
Domel is a global development partner for state-of-the-art energy-efficient electric drives based on our innovative technologies. What distinguishes Domel from its competitors is our steadfast commitment to quality. With our expertise and capabilities, we are dedicated to shaping a sustainable future. The company prioritizes the development and production of products that stand out for their performance, reliability, and durability. Our innovative and market-driven products foster growth and advancement within Domel, while the continuous motivation of our employees creates new opportunities in the global market, ensuring quality employment for the wider community. Founded in 1946, the company currently has production facilities in eight locations: six in Slovenia, one in Serbia, and one in China. High technological equipment, automation, digitalization, and robotization are reflected in our business processes and form the foundation for building competitiveness and excellence. We operate across a diverse range of sectors, including professional and household appliances, e-mobility, industrial applications, climate control systems, electric power tools, medicine, healthcare, and hydrogen technologies.
Domel’s role in the REMHub project is to analyze and design novel electric motor concepts which will use new, recycled, refurbished or reused RE magnets.
Contact: erik.cuk@domel.com
Cinkarna Celje
With a tradition of more than 150 years of uninterrupted operations, Cinkarna Celje, d.d. is today a modern Slovenian chemical processing company that operates in accordance with state-of-the-art techniques and environmental standards. By consistently implementing its sustainable development strategy, the company continually endeavors to improve in all areas of operation, seeking innovative solutions. With approximately 800 employees, the company generates around €200 million in annual turnover, with more than 90% of sales coming from export markets. The company’s activities focus on producing and marketing titanium dioxide, complemented by a wide range of other products such as powder coatings, masterbatches, agrichemicals, chemical processing equipment, and sulphuric acid.
In the REMHub project Cinkarna Celje, d. d. is a contributor to WP3, participating in task 2: Utilization of waste streams from various industries for REE recovery, which is led by Weefiner. The task aims to develop high TRL methods for industrial REE recovery processes from waste streams. As such, Cinkarna Celje, d. d. is developing a method for recovering iron in the form of iron (II) oxalate and scandium in the form of scandium (III) oxide. Iron (II) oxalate can be a source of iron for the production of neodymium permanent magnets and scandium (III) oxide can improve the performance of high-end magnets by enhancing thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and strength in specific applications.
Contact: domen.slemensek@cinkarna.si and pavel.blagotinsek@cinkarna.si
GTK
The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) produces impartial and objective research data and services in support of decision-making in industry, academia, and wider society to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, carbon-neutral world. GTK employs more than 400 experts specializing in the mineral economy, circular economy, solutions related to energy, water and the environment, as well as digital solutions. GTK is a research institution governed by the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy, operating in Finland and globally.
Contact: paavo.nikkola@gtk.fi
RarEarth
RarEarth is an Italian startup founded by Gianluca Torta and Enrico Pizzi to develop and industrialize innovative technologies for recycling NdFeB magnets from end-of-life electric motors. This technology recovers critical rare earth elements, such as neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium, which are essential for strategic sectors including automotive, renewable energy, and consumer electronics. RarEarth aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on rare earth imports, while promoting a sustainable circular economy. RarEarth’s core product is recycled NdFeB magnets, created using a patented process that ensures equivalent performance to virgin magnets. The company customizes magnets to meet specific customer needs, targeting sectors such as automotive, renewable energy, and electronics, where high performance and low environmental impact are crucial.
RarEarth is focused on scaling its recycling technology to extract and purify rare earth-based magnets, specifically NdFeB alloys, from electric two-wheeled vehicles like scooters, bikes, and motorcycles. The project involves developing advanced technologies for dismantling magnets from electric motors and refining processes to remove impurities from end-of-life magnets. The goal is to reach a pilot scale level to demonstrate the technology’s industrial feasibility, enabling the production of pure NdFeB alloys ready for reuse and reducing dependence on imported rare earth materials.
Contact: gianluca.torta@rarearth.it, enrico.pizzi@rarearth.it & jacopo.neri@rarearth.it
HaikiCobat
Description coming soon!
TalTech
Founded in 1918, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is the sole technological university in Estonia. It is a research-based university offering Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in engineering, natural sciences, IT, business and maritime studies. In the REMHUB project, core research activities in the TalTech Department of Geology will focus on the development of innovative LA-ICP-MS image-based techniques for characterizing REE-carriers in primary low-grade and complex ores as well in processed materials.
Contact: rutt.hints@taltech.ee
JUNG
JUNG, established in 1992, is a Slovenian company specializing in vehicle dismantling and promoting the circular economy. Our activities encompass a comprehensive process of vehicle disassembly, ensuring maximum utilization of materials and their reintegration into production processes. We place particular emphasis on selling high-quality used car parts through our online store and well-organized warehouses, providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions for our customers.
By utilizing environmentally friendly technologies and focusing on the well-being of the local environment and future generations, we develop advanced solutions that reduce our environmental footprint. Our work is based on sustainable management of end-of-life vehicles and promoting circular practices that contribute to preserving natural resources and minimizing waste.
As part of the REMHub project, JUNG will establish an advanced recycling line to pilot the disassembly of high-performance electric motors from electric vehicles. The knowledge, technologies, and practices gained will be transferred to other companies across the European Union, supporting the development of sustainable industrial solutions and fostering innovation in waste management and recycling.
Contact: tin@jung.si
ECOCastulum
Description coming soon!
Bambra
Prospech Limited is an Australian mineral exploration company dedicated to the discovery and development of critical minerals, including rare earths, cobalt, copper, silver, and gold.
The company operates in Finland through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bambra Oy, focusing on advancing key rare earth element (REE) projects such as Korsnäs and Jokikangas.
The Korsnäs Project recently marked a major milestone with the announcement of an initial JORC 2012-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 7.1 million tonnes at 1.08% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO). With its strategic location in Finland, the project aligns with the European Union’s goal of securing a stable supply of critical raw materials, positioning Korsnäs as a potential key contributor to Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and locally sourced rare earths.
BiotaTec
