Resource-efficiency projects to boost collaboration
The European Commission has approved funding for 14 new research projects to shape a more resource-efficient economy in Europe.
The projects, which involve the collaboration of over 140 partners from research organisations and private companies, will tackle the challenges of recycling waste materials from manufactured products and the agricultural sector to improve the quality of the environment and save money. Each project addresses a key issue such as reusing discarded automobile tyres, recovering key elements from batteries, producing green fertiliser from animal waste, and generating renewable clean energy from food and plant waste.
The €40m in funds are included in the 2013 Environment call of the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme and will involve partners from 19 European countries. Projects include ‘REEcover’ which aims to recover of rare earth elements from magnetic waste in the WEEE recycling industry and tailings from the iron ore industry; ‘ResCoM’ (Resource Conservative Manufacturing), which focuses on transforming waste into high value resource through closed-loop product systems; and ‘ManureEcoMine’, which proposes an integrated approach to the treatment and reuse of animal husbandry waste in nitrate vulnerable and sensitive areas and beyond.
Project co-ordinators will meet with the European Commission next week in Brussels to set the priorities and organise future work. In October last year, 18 projects were awarded funding worth €61m as part of the 2012 Environment call on Resource Efficiency research programme.
