Sustainable strategic metals supply by recycling end-of-life thin-film solar cells (SMART)
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | SWERIM AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 267 644 |
| Project duration | November 2023 - June 2025 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme for Swedish mining and metal producing industry - SIP Swedish Mining Innovation |
| Call | Technical and social innovations for sustainable mineral and metal supply |
Important results from the project
The results regarding the distribution of strategic metals in the smelting system were obtained as planned. The goals set from the start were met. The results regarding the impact of the cooling rate on the partitioning of Ga and In between metal and slag were obtained by comparing the failed tests and the successful experiments. The slow cooling was proven to favor the enrichment of Ga and In into slag.
Expected long term effects
The results regarding the distribution of strategic metals observed in the lab-scale experiments provide insight into their fate in a full-scale EAF process. Additionally, the present results guide the deportment of the strategic and precious metals into slag by adjusting the smelting time, temperature, and cooling rate. The present results may help to address the challenges of strategic metal supply and waste management in the Swedish solar and steel industries.
Approach and implementation
The SMART project was implemented as planned, combining thermodynamic modelling, high-temperature experiments, and analysis to assess recovery of Ag, Ga, In, and Se from solar cell waste. Activities were appropriate and aligned with objectives. Minor lab issues (e.g. Pt-Se interaction) caused small delays but were quickly resolved. External factors had limited impact. Collaboration among Swerim, Midsummer, and Stena worked effectively, ensuring both scientific and industrial relevance.