Funding topic 8: Recycling and efficient use of environmentally critical metals and mineral residues

The extraction of raw materials is often associated with considerable environmental impact. Dissipation (fine distribution) of the substances with a wide variety of consumer goods often stands in the way of recycling the substances after the use phase. Efficient use and strict recycling of raw materials that are difficult to substitute are therefore essential for a sustainable economy. This applies in particular to environmentally critical substances such as certain metals needed for high-tech and environmental technologies, as well as phosphorus, which is essential for the food security of a growing world population. Therefore, the recycling of platinum group metals, indium, cobalt and rare earth metals in particular should be pushed.

Mineral residues represent one of the largest material flows in Germany. By recycling e.g. demolition material on a technical level comparable to the primary product, landfills as well as primary raw materials are conserved.

Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to:

• Educational concepts for the promotion of systemic thinking using the example of the aforementioned substances;
• Projects that reduce the use of environmentally critical metals and avoid their dissipation, or that replace environmentally critical metals with more environmentally recoverable materials;
• Projects for the recovery and processing of environmentally critical metals and mineral residues;
• Projects to increase the efficiency of the above substances in industry and agriculture;
• the development of measures for the environmentally compatible material use of phosphorus-containing material flows (sewage sludge, biowaste, agricultural manure, etc.);
• The development of environmentally friendly phosphorus recovery processes, taking into account other nutrients (wastewater/sewage sludge, animal residues) where appropriate;
• the use of digitalization of production and information processes for the sustainable handling of environmentally critical metals and mineral residues;
• action-oriented projects for children and young people to convey connections and strengthen awareness of the substances mentioned.

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