From Waste to Strategic Metals: Circular Materials Achieves First Industrial-Scale Recoveries Under the Critical Raw Materials Act
PADUA, Italy--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 30, 2025--
Circular Materials announces two major milestones under the Critical Raw Materials Act: the recovery from industrial wastewater of the first kilogram of ruthenium and the first ton of nickel, preventing the release of heavy metals into the environment. These results were secured through strong collaborations with two leading companies in surface treatments: LEM, core company of the LEM INDUSTRIES Group, specialized in the luxury sector, and Argos Surface Technologies Group, a leader in industrial coatings.
This success comes just a few months after the European Commission recognized Recover-IT as a strategic project, confirming the pivotal role of Circular Materials in securing critical raw material supplies, increasing recycling, and reducing the EU's dependence on imports.
Ruthenium and Nickel: crucial metals for a sustainable future
Ruthenium, a noble metal from the platinum group, is essential for cutting-edge sectors such as advanced electronics, green hydrogen production, fine chemicals, fuel cells, and luxury goods. Nickel, on the other hand, is a critical element, essential in advanced steels and lithium batteries —pillars of the energy transition.
Circular Materials' proprietary SWaP (Supercritical Water Precipitation) technology delivers exceptional effectiveness and versatility to recover precious and industrially intensive metals.
A revolutionary environmental impact: carbon negative and beyond
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the process applied to ruthenium and nickel reveals a remarkable environmental benefit. For ruthenium, emissions are reduced by over 99.6% compared to traditional mining. Even more impressive is the result for nickel: the SWaP process not only reduces emissions but becomes carbon negative, actively avoiding the total CO₂ production associated with conventional methods.
' Circular Materials strengthens its technological leadership and, together with its partners, builds a solid and integrated circular supply chain capable of transformingindustrial waste into new resources, preventing the loss of critical materials,' says Marco Bersani, Founder & CEO of Circular Materials. ' With the industrial-scale recovery of ruthenium and nickel, we are shaping a strategy that reduces dependence on external sources, lowers the environmental impact of production processes, and valorizes waste streams that until now have been dispersed '.
In a global context marked by the impacting scarcity of critical resources and the need to ensure a secure and sustainable supply, Circular Materials stands out as a key player in a new European industrial paradigm focused on recovering the resources the world needs most.
About Us: Circular Materials
Circular Materials is a groundbreaking company with proprietary technology for the recovery of strategic metals from industrial wastewater through a sustainable and highly efficient process. The company has developed and patented the Supercritical Water Precipitation (SWaP) technology, which simultaneously treats wastewater and recovers metal, eliminating toxic sludge production and significantly reducing environmental impact, both in terms of waste and emissions.
For more information:www.circularmaterials.it
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250629085997/en/
Media contact: Tiziana Sarto –[email protected]
KEYWORD: ITALY EUROPE
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NATURAL RESOURCES SUSTAINABILITY ENVIRONMENT OTHER MANUFACTURING RECYCLING GREEN TECHNOLOGY OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES MANUFACTURING
SOURCE: Circular Materials
Copyright Business Wire 2025.
PUB: 06/30/2025 02:00 AM/DISC: 06/30/2025 02:00 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250629085997/en
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
40 minutes ago
- CNBC
Robinhood grows its global crypto footprint with U.S. stock tokens for the EU
CANNES — Fifteen years after flipping burgers at a McDonald's and teaching himself to code at night in a cramped apartment near the French Riviera, Robinhood crypto chief Johann Kerbrat is back. The last time he lived around Cannes, he was 21 — with no connections, no funding, and no formal business training. But he had a knack for programming and a drive to solve real-world problems. Kerbrat quit his job just before starting university in nearby Nice, and soon after launched his first fintech startup: a no-code payments company built from scratch to help small merchants create e-commerce sites without hiring developers. "It was in my little studio — probably smaller than your bathroom," he said. "Initially, we didn't have any employees, but it was right at the beginning of e-commerce. Back then, if you were a merchant you didn't really have an option, you had to hire an agency and spend tens of thousands of euros. The idea was to let people build their own thing without any technical knowledge — kind of what Shopify is doing now." But the timing was right. The early 2010s brought a boom in online commerce, and Kerbrat's tool gave small merchants a chance to compete. It also opened his eyes to how fragile and expensive the global financial system really was. A classmate from Greece told him how his family's bank accounts had been frozen during the eurozone crisis. Around the same time, merchants using his platform were struggling with high fees, chargebacks, and fraud. And then the Bitcoin white paper landed. "I was like, 'Okay, that's a solution for everything,' " he said Now, from Château de la Croix des Gardes, a Belle Époque mansion perched along the same coastline where he once lived and worked the night shift in fast food, he's part of the most ambitious crypto product suite in Robinhood's history. On Monday the company announced an expanded offering of tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs across Europe, crypto staking in the U.S., perpetual futures for eligible EU traders, and a new Layer 2 blockchain optimized for real-world asset settlement and 24/7 trading. "It's absolutely surreal," he said, seated inside the iconic Carlton Hotel — a five-star landmark that once felt impossibly out of reach. "When I was younger, I used to walk past this place — and I could have never, never stayed here." The announcement coincides with the Ethereum Community Conference, hosted in Cannes for the first time, and Robinhood's latest regulatory approvals across Europe. Robinhood's latest move is its most serious push yet to blend traditional finance with blockchain-based infrastructure. Kerbrat said the goal isn't to dazzle with features. It's to make crypto disappear into the background. He likened it to plumbing. "You don't think about how water gets to your tap," he said. "You just expect it to be there." But there is still plumbing to build out. At the heart of Monday's launch are tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs, now available to customers in 30 EU and European Economic Area countries. The tokens — built first on Arbitrum — offer 24/5 access, dividend support, and zero commission or spread from Robinhood. Eventually, they'll migrate to a custom Layer 2 blockchain built to support tokenized assets, seamless bridging, and self-custody. In the U.S., Robinhood is debuting staking for Ethereum and Solana, allowing users to earn rewards by supporting network operations. In Europe, crypto perpetual futures will offer eligible users up to 3x leverage, routed through Bitstamp. Other upgrades include smart exchange routing, tax lot management, and advanced charting tools — all designed to make crypto feel as seamless and intuitive as trading stocks. Shares of Robinhood are up over 100% this year. "When we talk about mass adoption," Kerbrat said, "This is what it looks like. A product people use — without needing to know how it works." For Kerbrat, who spent his adolescence between Cannes and Nice, the return isn't just symbolic. It's a measure of how far he's come — and how much still feels the same. His father worked in IT. His mother stayed home with him and his sister. One day, his dad brought home a clunky old Apple computer with a black-and-white screen and that was the spark. By 7, he was experimenting. By 11, he was programming regularly. And by 17, he was already trying to fix the broken parts of the internet economy he saw around him. His parents, now living further inland, drove in just in time to watch the launch. They remember the early days, he said — the tiny apartment, the first lines of code, the endless conversations with merchants who didn't quite believe his pitch — that anyone could build an e-commerce site without knowing how to code. "We chose Cannes because of licensing, and because the conference was here," he said. "But I'm not going to pretend it doesn't feel good." He paused, letting the moment settle. "I never thought I'd be back here like this."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Europe's AI gigafactory push attracts 76 bids, EU tech chief says
By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Seventy-six companies have bid to develop Europe's artificial intelligence gigafactories, the EU's tech chief said on Monday, hailing a bigger than expected response to the bloc's push to catch up with the U.S. and China in this key technology. The European Commission made the announcement four months after it allocated 20 billion euros ($23 billion) in EU funding for the construction of four AI gigafactories across the bloc. Such facilities, in essence large-scale AI computing and data storage hubs, will be equipped with about 100,000 state-of-the-art AI chips. "We got 76 submissions proposing to set up AI gigafactories in 16 member states and across 60 different sites," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told a press conference. "And this exceeds far beyond our expectations and this showcases Europe's growing momentum and enthusiasm for innovating in AI in Europe," she said, declining to name the companies because of business confidentiality information. The EU executive said applicants included EU and non-EU companies, among them tech giants, data centre operators, telecoms providers, power suppliers and financial investors. "Together they have now indicated plans to acquire at least 3 million latest generation of AI processors (GPUs) in total," Virkkunen said. The Commission will launch an official call for setting up the AI gigafactories at the end of the year. ($1 = 0.8537 euros)
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ford Accelerates EV Expansion in Europe with Three New Models
Ford is making big moves in the electric vehicle (EV) space, bringing more options to European drivers who are looking for efficient, sustainable, and stylish alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered cars. The company has been steadily expanding its EV lineup, and now, it's adding three new models to the mix: the Puma Gen-E, E-Tourneo Courier, and E-Transit Courier. These vehicles aim to make electric driving more practical and appealing to a wider audience, from everyday commuters to businesses looking to modernize their fleets. With strong performance, impressive range, and thoughtful design, these new models reinforce Ford's commitment to a cleaner, smarter future for transportation. The Puma Gen-E takes Ford's well-loved compact SUV and turns it electric. But don't worry—it still has the sporty feel and stylish look that people love. It can drive up to 233 miles on a full charge, making it a great choice for both city trips and longer drives. Plus, fast-charging means you'll spend less time waiting and more time on the road. Ford designed the Puma Gen-E with modern drivers in mind. Its sleek interior, advanced tech features, and smooth ride make it a strong competitor in the growing EV market. With more drivers looking for an electric car that doesn't compromise on performance, the Puma Gen-E is set to be a top choice. The E-Tourneo Courier is perfect for families and people on the go. It has five seats and plenty of room for road trips, sports gear, or running errands. With a range of about 179 miles, it's great for daily driving, and you can charge it quickly when needed. It's a smart pick for anyone looking for an eco-friendly, do-it-all vehicle. One of the biggest advantages of the E-Tourneo Courier is its practical layout. The interior is designed with comfort and convenience in mind, offering flexible seating and storage solutions. Whether you need extra cargo space or comfortable seating for passengers, this EV adapts to your needs with ease. For businesses ready to switch to electric, the E-Transit Courier is a great option. It's a small but powerful work van that can drive up to 186 miles on one charge. It has more space than the older model and can carry heavy loads, making it perfect for deliveries and business owners who want to save on fuel costs while helping the environment. Businesses will appreciate the lower running costs of an electric van, from reduced fuel expenses to lower maintenance needs. With many cities implementing low-emission zones, the E-Transit Courier allows companies to operate freely while staying compliant with new environmental regulations. Ford is building these new electric models at its factory in Craiova, Romania. The plant uses solar panels and smart systems to cut pollution while making the cars. The electric motors for these vehicles are made in Ford's Halewood factory in the UK, showing Ford's commitment to making cleaner cars in a responsible way. The company's investment in these manufacturing facilities shows its dedication to an electric future. By improving production efficiency and reducing emissions at the factory level, Ford is not just creating EVs but also ensuring the entire process is more sustainable. These new models join other Ford electric vehicles in Europe, like the Ford Explorer, Capri, and Mustang Mach-E. The E-Transit Courier also adds to Ford's electric work van lineup, making it easier for businesses to go green. Ford is proving that electric cars can be practical, fun, and good for the planet. With more choices than ever, drivers can find an EV that fits their lifestyle—whether they need a compact SUV, a family car, or a work van. The future of driving is electric, and Ford is leading the way. Ford's expansion into electric vehicles is part of a broader movement toward a cleaner, more efficient transportation system. As technology advances and charging networks grow, electric cars are becoming a more viable option for everyday drivers. With its latest lineup, Ford is making it easier than ever for people to make the switch to EVs.
