METNET Network

BRGM

(Bio)leaching  
The (bio)leaching pilots at BRGM are used to study and optimize innovative processes aiming to recover critical raw materials from primary and secondary resources at different scales (from some liters to some cubic meters). The data produced during pilot operations is used for developing numerical models and process simulation, for techno-economic and environmental impact assessments and for further process upscaling to design industrial operations.

Recovery of Rare Earths from permanent magnets -VALOMAG – PILOT SCALE
The two pilot processes developed at BRGM under the Valomag EIT project represent significant advancements in the recovery of NdFeB permanent magnets from hard drives and the extraction of the rare earth elements contained. The mechanical sorting process achieved an impressive recovery rate of over 95% for these magnets, highlighting the effectiveness of the technology.

Additionally, the extraction of rare earth elements using a soft hydrometallurgical process with organic acids is noteworthy for its potential environmental advantages. Both processes have been patented, indicating their novelty and potential commercial application. Their incorporation into the PACT project (TRL 8-9) submitted this year signifies that these processes are nearing the final stages of development and validation before full-scale implementation. This is an exciting step toward enhancing the recovery of valuable materials from electronic waste and promoting sustainability in resource utilization.

CEA

ISEC gathers CEA historical R&D activities (nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear waste management such as separation processes used to recycle uranium and plutonium in La Hague reprocessing plants, conditioning matrix) to transfer proven expertise towards other materials cycles. It develops three fields of research:

• closing the nuclear fuel cycle in a circular economy approach,
• implementing circular economy for other low-carbon energies (batteries, wind, solar, hydrogene…): life cycle assessment, metals and materials recovering from wastes, collaborations and partnerships with industrials,
• supporting nuclear clean up & dismantling activities and R&D for radioactive waste management (ex. support to Japan for the Fukushima site cleaning).

CEA / ISEC works closely with CEA / Liten located in Grenoble. It is dedicated to the energy transition in three key areas: renewable energy, energy efficiency/storage and development of materials, spanning the entire value chain from the development of materials to pre-industrialization.

CEA is member of METNET and owns several pilot plant equipments in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy (such as filters, gas treatment column, leaching autoclave, etc…)

CRM GROUP

CRM Group (located in Liège and Gent, Belgium; www.crmgroup.be) is a non-for-profit research organization providing its customers with innovative technological solutions for the processing of steel, non-ferrous metals and associated materials, from primary and secondary raw materials up to finished products and their recycling, in the spirit of Circular Economy and Sustainable Development.

CRM Group combines 290+ skilled and experienced researchers with unparalleled testing facilities, from laboratory to pilot and even semi-industrial scale. As a member of the Metnet network within Prometia, CRM Group may offer access to a wide lab and pilot infrastructure in the following fields :

• primary and secondary raw materials pre-processing : drying, intensive mixing, shredding, grinding, crushing, agglomeration (roll press briquetting, compaction, extrusion);
• thermo-chemical treatment of solids (calcination, direct reduction, pyrolysis, gasification under low or high pressure,…) in pilot facilities like : grate sintering, rotary kiln, multiple hearth furnace, heating furnace under vacuum, versatile fixed bed shaft furnace;
• remelting or smelting in : rotary tilting furnace (for Al or Zn), induction melting furnaces (atmospheric or vacuum), a quite unique and versatile 125 litre plasma furnace used for critical metals recovery by smelting or fuming, or for liquid slag processing and dry granulation;
• metal solidification and processing (casting, cold and hot rolling, thermo-mechanical treatments);
• all kinds of advanced coating and additive (re-)manufacturing techniques;
• special characterisation techniques, like : high temperature rheometer allowing to measure the viscosity and other properties of metal and slag up to 1650°C, numerous in-use properties of metals (e.g. resistance to wear or corrosion, including at high temperature).

ELKEM

Mission

• Bench- and pilot scale testing to develop more efficient processes and new products to support Elkem’ business strategies
• Support plants and divisions on process design
• Develop sustainable advanced materials for external customers

23 specialists covering the fields of:

• Design of equipment
• Graphite and mechanical construction
• Material processing
• Pyrometallurgical process development and verification

Equipment

• Melting furnaces: electric arc, induction, vacuum induction, HTE
• Crushers, mills and screeners
• Equipment for mixing, agglomeration and powder characterization
• Gas atomizer

ERAMET

•  A committed mining player
• A global player in the responsible processing of metals
• A trusted partner for Natur

With Eramet Ideas, as Research and Innovation Center…
To propose sustainable and innovative solutions and prepare Eramet’s future.
From mining to metals, our research and innovation experts invent value-creating solutions in response to the challenges facing our industry (Developing our activities in the metals used in the energy transition, decarbonizing production, producing faster and better, …).

A hub of expertise…
Eramet Ideas (EID) is made up of multicultural, multi-disciplinary teams who harness their expertise in Geometallurgy (mining of complex deposits based on mineralogical, environmental and operational data), Hydrometallurgy (ore recovery using chemical solutions) and Pyrometallurgy (ore recovery using ultra-high temperature smelting and reduction) to optimize existing processes, develop new deposits and devise disruptive solutions.

Cutting-edge tools…
This center of excellence boasts state-of-the-art tools such as France’s first scanning electron microscope (SEM), equipped with QEMSCAN mineralogical analysis software, as well as pilot and semi-industrial facilities (3 pilot halls and associated laboratories for mineralurgy, hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy) conducting experimental campaigns on scales ranging from grams to tons. These experimental tools are enhanced by their digital twins ̶ mineralogy, data science, 3D modeling and design.

GTK

GTK Mintec, located in Outokumpu, Finland, consists of mineral processing laboratory and pilot plant and is equipped to develop mineral processing methods along the beneficiation chain from mineralogical analysis to dealing with process waste.

Facilities
The facilities contain the equipment in comminution and classification, flotation, low and high intensity magnetic separation, gravity concentration and dense medium separation (DMS), and dewatering.

Automatic control system
The pilot plant is equipped with a high standard process automatic control system and enables the testing of continuous beneficiation processes at the capacity range of 0.5 to 5 t/h and sample amount from 20 to 300 tons.

On various minerals and metals
GTK provides solutions and methods that promote sustainable and cost-effective mining and mine environment management on various minerals and metals, e.g., battery minerals (spodumene, petalite, graphite), battery metals (Ni, Cu, Co, etc.), base metals, REE, gold, PGM, diamond, industrial minerals etc.

Digitalization
GTK is building a virtual Pilot Plant based on real one by using Digital Twins tool to improve the operation of the installation and for a digitized customer experience.

Łukasiewicz-IMN (Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals)

Łukasiewicz – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals is equipped with advanced pilot-scale installations that facilitate cutting-edge research in metallurgy and materials recovery. These installations are crucial for testing and optimizing processes before they are implemented on industrial scale. Main components of Pilot Equipment:

• Flotation Installation – Simulates continuous flotation for non-ferrous ore enrichment, handling 50–150 kg/min with variable-sized flotation cells (150, 40, 15, 10, 3 dm³).
• Hydrometallurgical Equipment – Includes large-scale steam-heated leaching reactors (1.0, 1.7, 2.8 m³), filtration presses, and vacuum evaporators for efficient metal salt recovery.
• Pyrometallurgical Equipment – Features TBRC, arc-resistance furnaces, TSL, pyrolizer, rotary-rocking furnaces, Waelz kiln, and process gas dedusting systems.
• Sustainability Focus – Designed to minimize emissions, enhance recycling, and support environmentally responsible metal recovery.

By providing a platform for innovative technologies and sustainable practices, these installations contribute significantly to the efficiency and effectiveness of metal recovery processes, supporting both industrial applications and environmental goals

Materials Processing Institute

The Materials Processing Institute is a globally recognized research and innovation center specializing in the development and commercialization of advanced materials and processes. Our focus areas include:

• Advanced Materials & Processes – Enhancing material quality and yield
• Zero-Carbon Technologies – Supporting sustainable innovations
• Digital Technologies – Deploying cutting-edge solutions
• Circular Economy – Reducing waste and improving efficiency

Innovation & Commercialization
We support clients from early-stage scientific development to large-scale demonstration, offering:

• State-of-the-Art Facilities – Labs, workshops, pilot plants, and production facilities
• Integrated Research & Development – Expertise in experimental modeling, thermodynamics, materials microscopy,…
• Process Optimization – Increasing efficiency through improved materials and technologies

Normanton Plant: Steel Research & Production

• Steel Alloy Production & Revert Melting – Specialized for nuclear, defense, aerospace, automotive, and engineering sectors
• Bespoke Steel Research – Utilizing advanced furnaces for controlled technology scale-up
• Decades of Expertise – Developing unconventional steels and enhancing steel processing

Services & Expertise

• Research Services – Private and collaborative programs, specialist testing
• Consulting – Technical due diligence, market studies, mergers & acquisitions, CAPEX support
• Training – Industry-focused courses on global steel and materials technologies

Our expertise spans steel, metals, ceramics, glass, and natural materials, delivering innovative solutions to enhance materials and processes.

Swerim AB

Swerim conducts industrial research and development on metals, from raw materials to finished products, with a vision of a fossil-free, circular industry.

Our Focus Areas

• Metallurgical Process Development – Optimizing efficiency, recovery, and recycling.
• Sustainable Innovation – Reducing CO₂ emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.
• Materials & Manufacturing Engineering – Developing advanced materials for extreme environments.

Why Swerim?

• Large-Scale Pilot Research – Decades of experience in real-world testing.
• Flexible Testing Support – Assisting companies without disrupting production.
• Comprehensive Facilities – From small experimental setups to large testbeds.

By combining expertise with cutting-edge facilities, we help industries stay competitive and drive sustainable development.

• Arcelor Mittal
• A.V Dawson
• Boliden (pyro)
• British Steel
• CASPEO
• Eurotab
• EYDE cluster
• Ferrovan oy
• Harsco

• Innovator
• Keliber
• Reactive Metal Particles
• SSAB Europe
• SUEZ Belgium
• Tata Steel, Europe
• TEGma
• ZGH Boleslaw
• ZM Silesia SA