“TECNALIA develops innovative technologies to obtain resources from waste, as well as efficiency and circularity solutions for energy-intensive industry”
Raw materials, the cornerstones of industrial production, are at the heart of the transition to a more sustainable economic model
In a global scenario marked by growing environmental awareness and the need to promote sustainable practices, the approach to raw materials emerges as a crucial factor to ensure sustainability and competitiveness in various industries.
Raw materials, the cornerstones of industrial production, are at the heart of the transition towards a more sustainable economic model. Companies around the world are recognising the importance of managing natural resources responsibly from source to final product, considering not only operational efficiency, but also environmental and social impact.
Technological developments play a crucial role in this shift towards sustainability. The implementation of solutions, such as artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring and traceability of the supply chain enables companies to have more precise control over the use of raw materials, identify areas for improvement and respond quickly to changing market conditions.
How to address business challenges related to raw materials
TECNALIA faces these challenges from various perspectives
1- Through life cycle analysis tools to calculate the carbon footprint of products, organisations and territories. In this respect, we develop tools for companies to measure environmental impact. These tools facilitate decision-making regarding which materials or processes to address in order to reduce the carbon footprint of products. They provide a measurement to help reduce or offset the carbon footprint of companies.
2. Digital Product Passport and the implications that the regulation will have on the design, manufacture, use and recycling of products traded in the EU. This digital passport provides data that enables the circular economy strategy of companies to be scaled up. It improves the transparency of product properties and materials, and builds confidence in the quality of secondary raw materials.
Use cases
To "translate" these challenges, TECNALIA is working on different projects:
- Recovery of high-value metals and compounds from secondary resources: aimed at developing innovative technologies and processes to obtain resources from waste (critical metals and high-value compounds).
- Efficiency and circularity solutions for energy-intensive industry (CIRMET project). It provides modular solutions that can be integrated into companies and plants and adapted to different waste, while being energy efficient. The modular solutions developed are for the recovery of metallic waste, heat recovery into energy and digitalisation for the collection of data from industrial processes.
In conclusion, the relationship between sustainability and competitiveness is consolidated through an integrated approach from raw materials. Companies that manage to harmonise economic efficiency and environmental responsibility will be better positioned to meet the challenges of the future and contribute to global sustainable development.
