Menu
MapConnectionsTopicsBulgariaThe Night (K-TRIO)Marie Skłodowska-CurieFor studentsFor teachersMethodologySurprise me
H2020Staff exchange2021–2026

CHemPGM · Chemistry of Platinum Group Metals

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2021-10-01 → 2026-09-30
EU contribution
€736,000
Participants
7
Scheme
MSCA-RISE

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Chemistry of Platinum Group Metals

The CHemPGM project is a multidisciplinary initiative designed to investigate the chemistry and utilization of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) through international and intersectoral collaboration. Recognizing the critical importance of PGMs for sustainable and advanced technologies, the project brings together universities, research organizations, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to form a comprehensive value chain approach. The CHemPGM project addresses critical challenges in the exploitation and utilization of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs)—platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. These metals are essential for industries such as catalysis, emission control, and green technology. However, they face several challenges like: - Low recycling rates and inefficient recovery technologies. - Dependence on limited suppliers (South Africa, Russia). - Environmentally taxing extraction processes and waste generation. - Complexities in processing low-grade ores and diverse secondary sources like spent catalysts. CHemPGM addresses these issues by: - Advancing understanding of PGM chemistry and recovery processes. - Developing sustainable recycling methods for high-value applications. - Promoting industrial symbiosis and circular economy practices. - Supporting international goals like the European Green Deal and SDGs. PGMs are crucial for sustainable technologies, supporting Europe's clean energy transition and climate goals. CHemPGM fosters a circular economy, reduces environmental impact, and strengthens supply chain resilience, enhancing EU economic stability and competitiveness. The CHemPGM project aims to: - Optimize PGM extraction, separation, and recovery processes. - Develop sustainable technologies for applications like nanomaterials, catalytic converters, and CO2 capture. - Align policy-making and standards with circular economy principles. - Strengthen the EU’s PGM supply chain security. - Bridge the gap between theoretical research and industrial applications. Methodology: - Characterization and Leaching: Uses advanced techniques to extract PGMs from spent autocatalysts and residues, maximizing recovery with minimal environmental impact. - Separation and Recovery: Employs solvent extraction, ion exchange, and precipitation to recover PGMs in high purity and tailored forms. - Application Development: Incorporates recovered PGMs into nanomaterials, catalytic devices, and CO2 capture systems to explore industrial applications. - Evaluation and Standardization: Assesses environmental, economic, and social impacts using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to inform regulatory frameworks and align with sustainability goals.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The CHemPGM project is a joint initiative of 7 expert organizations from the fields of chemistry, engineering, mining, metallurgy and materials science, designed to conduct fundamental research regarding the chemistry of platinum group metals (PGMs) and utilize the obtained knowledge to improve and secure the PGMs value chain. Specifically, the project aims i) to establish fundamental knowledge regarding the chemistry of the PGMs, their reactions and complexation with other metals and chemical compounds, and the corresponding reactivities during leaching, separation and recovery processes; ii) to gain a complete understanding of the mechanisms associated with the above-mentioned processes, during the utilization of secondary materials to extract PGMs and incorporate them into new materials and processes such as nanomaterials, catalysis and CO2 capture; iii) to create knowledge, provide expertise and educate the public. This will lead to the upgrading of existing processes and the development of new ones, aligned with sustainable principles, to ensure a circular operation model of the relevant industries. Through the involvement of universities, RTOs and SMEs, CHemPGM is backed by a well-rounded team, with multiyear expertise in the relevant fields, capable to deliver high-quality results regarding the project objectives. The consortium approaches the challenge from a multidiscipline aspect and proposes a balanced number of secondments alongside trainings, workshops, seminars and events that guarantee a cross-sectorial synergy among them. As a result, CHemPGM will broaden the expertise of the organizations, contribute to the advancement of the secondees and enhance the potential for innovation to its stakeholders and those inter-related with it. Overall, the methodology for carrying out the tasks involved, guarantees the smooth running of the project and the successful fulfillment of the objectives to contribute towards a more efficient and sustainable future.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • MONOLITHOS KATALITES KE ANAKIKLOSI ETAIREIA PERIORISMENIS EVTHINIS · ATHINACoordinatorGreece
  • AGENZIA NAZIONALE PER LE NUOVE TECNOLOGIE, L'ENERGIA E LO SVILUPPO ECONOMICO SOSTENIBILE · RomaItaly
  • INSTITUTE PO KATALIZ BAN · SOFIABulgaria
  • LOMARTOV SL · BURJASSOTSpain
  • UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE · LIEGEBelgium
  • UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN · RondeboschSouth Africa
  • Y.S. CYPRIOT CATALYSTS LIMITED · AMMOCHOSTOSCyprus

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union