The valorisation of chromium and magnesium from industrial waste in Sweden
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Linnéuniversitetet - Fakulteten för hälso- & livsvetenskap |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 3 940 888 |
| Project duration | November 2025 - November 2028 |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Venture | Impact Innovation Metals & Minerals - Program-specific efforts Vinnova |
| Call | Impact Innovation: Research and development projects within Techological Action Areas in the Swedish Metals and Minerals program |
Purpose and goal
Every year, significant amounts of mining waste are generated. However, traditional methods of metal recycling are energy-intensive and harmful to the environment.This project will develop a sustainable biotechnological process for recycling chromium and magnesium from metallurgical waste generated during the production of ferrochromium alloy at a Swedish smelter.
Expected effects and result
By converting industrial waste into valuable raw materials, the project promotes a circular economy, contributing to resource efficiency and minimizing waste disposal. This circular solution will be evaluated to reduce historically hazardous waste, secure critical raw materials through “green” technology, and support Sweden´s and the EU´s goals of climate neutrality and resource security.
Planned approach and implementation
In this project, environmentally friendly (safe) acid-producing microorganisms will be used to biologically extract metals from industrial waste, followed by separation, enabling efficient metal recycling with a reduced carbon footprint.