Green Innovation in Urban Mining in Ljubljana
We are very exchited to share the highlights from the recently concluded RAW4RES Workshop on Exploring Business Potential of Green Technologies for Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains, along with the 4th Steering Group Meeting and Peer-Review Visit on Measures to Support SMEs in Entering the Urban Mining Market, held on February 18-20, 2025, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This event was organized by the Business Support Centre, Ltd., Kranj.
Event Highlights:
Day 1: Innovative Recycling Technologies for E-Waste
Location: Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG)
The first day kicked off with an insightful site visit to ZAG. Participants explored various innovative recycling technologies for e-waste, including:
· WEEE-NET9 recycling technologies
· Thermomechanical treatment of e-waste
· Bioleaching solutions
· EIT RawMaterials RIS hub Adria
· CRMs flow, recycling & zero-waste strategy in the jewellery business
The day also featured a visit to the ZAG Laboratory for Stone, Aggregates, and Recycled Materials, where attendees witnessed a demonstration of the e-waste recycling process.
Day 2: Permanent Magnets Processing and Recycling
Location: Jožef Stefan Institute, Department for Nanostructured Materials
On the second day, RAW4RES project partners and their stakeholders delved into permanent magnets processing and recycling. The visit included:
· IJS K7 Laboratory for processing and recycling of permanent magnets
· Centre of Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis
Afternoon sessions on both days were dedicated to the RAW4RES 4th Steering Group Meeting.
Peer-Review Visit: Strategic Measures for Urban Mining
Location: City Hotel Ljubljana
The Peer-Review Visit was held on the evening of February 19, 2025, at the City Hotel Ljubljana. Experts from Kolektor Mobility, ZEOS e-waste management scheme, Region of Central Greece, University of Athens - Laboratory of Chemistry & Materials Technology, and BSC Kranj brainstormed strategic measures to support the setup of an open collaboration ecosystem for promoting the domestic sourcing of critical raw materials through sustainable urban mining.
The following morning, the visit showcased the business potential and strategic support needed for exchanging material side streams between electronics production and metalworking companies in Slovenia. The Institute of Metals and Technology (IMT) demonstrated how material and energy flows in production processes of SMEs can be optimized with Industrial Symbiosis.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, speakers, and organizers for making this event a grand success. Together, we are paving the way for sustainable and innovative business growth!
More updates on these meetings' content will be included in the summary reports, which will soon be uploaded to our website. Stay tuned!