In 2020 10 industry and research partners from 4 European countries (including NTNU, ResiTec & SINTEF in Norway) came together with the aim to demonstrate sustainable ways of producing non-ferrous metals using hydrogen as an enabler for removing waste and valorising materials in carbon free processes.

If we are to switch to renewable energy, we are required to use vast amounts of metals as steel and aluminium (e.g. for solar panels and wind turbines). The extraction of these materials leads to greenhouse gas emissions. In 2017 the metallurgical industry amounted to 70 million tons direct CO2 emitted. In addition, the carbon-based processes make the European metallurgical industry dependent on imports. In other words the recycling of these metals is not efficient, and it makes the industry more dependent on raw materials and import. According to Harare, less than 15% of metal input to the European process industry is supplied from domestic extraction. Mitigating the CO2 footprint from the production is going to be essential for those who wish to ensure their further licence to operate in Europe, and ensuring a better way to secure material supply will be, well, essential for those who wish for their business to survive.

The HARARE project addresses these two issues: CO2-emissions and material supply that is not dependent on critical raw material extraction. How? Well, HARARE will demonstrate sustainable ways to produce non-ferrous metals through hydrogen based metal recovery from waste. Substituting carbon with hydrogen is one of the few ways metal production can become CO2-emissions free. Also utilizing raw materials more efficiently, will simultaneously reduce Europe’s dependence on Critical raw materials.

The HARARE project successfully kicked off on June 7th, 2021 when the project partners came together for a virtual meeting. The event was hosted by SINTEF. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.