Development and upscaling of a recycling process for grinding swarf to ferrous chloride
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Anferra AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 992 754 |
| Project duration | October 2024 - June 2025 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Impact Innovation Metals & Minerals - Program-specific efforts Vinnova |
| Call | Impact Innovation: Feasibility studies within Technological Action Areas in the program Metals & Minerals |
Important results from the project
The project achieved its goals through technical development and validation, sustainability analysis, and upscaling planning. The process was verified in lab scale with high recovery, adaptability to various waste streams, high product quality and reduced climate impact. An LCA showed a reduction potential of 470 kg CO₂e per ton. New industrial partnerships further support commercialization.
Expected long term effects
The technology can support a circular steel industry by recycling hazardous waste and replacing virgin iron chloride in water treatment. Recycling 10% of global steel gridning swarf (1.2 Mt) could reduce emissions by up to 564,000 tons CO₂e/year. It would also generate enough ferric chloride to purify 100 billion m³ of water annually, serving 40 million people, and produce hydrogen with an energy value of around 1 TWh.
Approach and implementation
The project was carried out in seven work packages: coordination, lab-scale process testing, analysis and verification, process design, techno-economic assessment, environmental impact, and consortium building. When one partner could not contribute as planned, Anferra reallocated efforts and brought in expert support. Collaboration worked well, and technical validation, LCA, and business development were completed with high quality.