In 2014, the EC released the European Critical Raw Materials Review (CRMs), highlighting a list of materials defined critical. Platinum Group Materials (PGMs), contained in this list, are among the least abundant of the Earth's elements and were classified as materials whose substitution is currently extremely difficult and recycling rate is very low. The supply of PGMs (Europe is the main importer) is currently ensured mostly by primary sources (72%) coming from both mines and recycled products (no mines in Europe), and it cannot meet the global demand (current deficit 20 tonnes). PGMs demand (up to 80%) is driven mainly by the emission control catalysts market which is expected to reach €6 billion by 2019. The PROMETHEUS project will bring to the market a disruptive innovation, allowing for the first time to substitute up to 60% of PGMs used in autocatalysts with copper nanoparticles, while keeping the same performances and durability. Specifically the PROMETHEUS project objectives are: 1. Industrialising PROMETHEUS production and demonstrate on large scale its performances. PROMETHEUS has already been validated in the real environment with a key stakeholder (FIAT, Large multinational automotive industry) also supporting Phase 2; 2. Substituting 60% of PGMs used in autocatalysts with copper nanoparticles, saving up to 40 tonnes of PGMs per year, 2 times the current global deficit; 3. Decoupling Europe from a Critical Raw Material (PGMs), saving up to 60% of PGMs European demand per year (20 tonnes per year – the current global demand/supply deficit); 4. Boosting European automotive and emission control catalyst markets. Copper costs ~6,800 times less than Platinum (4.5€/Kg against 30,550 €/Kg) which means that European industries can save almost €250 mln to be reinvested in RD&I and job growth. 5. Boosting MONOLITHOS growth. In 5 years after market introduction, MONOLITHOS expects to have grown by 125% in personnel and achieve a total turnover of at least €35 mln

In 2014, the EC released the European Critical Raw Materials Review (CRMs), highlighting a list of materials defined critical. Platinum Group Materials (PGMs), contained in this list, are among the least abundant of the Earth's elements and were classified as materials whose substitution is currently extremely difficult and recycling rate is very low. The supply of PGMs (Europe is the main importer) is currently ensured mostly by primary sources (72%) coming from both mines and recycled products (no mines in Europe), and it cannot meet the global demand (current deficit 20 tonnes). PGMs demand (up to 80%) is driven mainly by the emission control catalysts market which is expected to reach €6 billion by 2019. The PROMETHEUS project will bring to the market a disruptive innovation, allowing for the first time to substitute up to 60% of PGMs used in autocatalysts with copper nanoparticles, while keeping the same performances and durability. Specifically the PROMETHEUS project objectives are: 1. Industrialising PROMETHEUS production and demonstrate on large scale its performances. PROMETHEUS has already been validated in the real environment with a key stakeholder (FIAT, Large multinational automotive industry) also supporting Phase 2; 2. Substituting 67% of PGMs used in autocatalysts with copper nanoparticles, saving up to 40 tonnes of PGMs per year, 2 times the current global deficit; 3. Decoupling Europe from a Critical Raw Material (PGMs), saving up to 60% of PGMs European demand per year (20 tonnes per year – the current global demand/supply deficit); 4. Boosting European automotive and emission control catalyst markets. Copper costs ~6,800 times less than Platinum (4.5€/Kg against 30,550 €/Kg) which means that European industries can save almost €250 mln to be reinvested in RD&I and job growth. 5. Boosting MONOLITHOS growth. In 5 years after market introduction MONOLITHOS expects to have grown by 250% in personnel and achieve a total turnover of at least €100 mln

The CHemPGM project is a joint initiative of 7 expert organizations from the fields of chemistry, engineering, mining, metallurgy and materials science, designed to conduct fundamental research regarding the chemistry of platinum group metals (PGMs) and utilize the obtained knowledge to improve and secure the PGMs value chain. Specifically, the project aims i) to establish fundamental knowledge regarding the chemistry of the PGMs, their reactions and complexation with other metals and chemical compounds, and the corresponding reactivities during leaching, separation and recovery processes; ii) to gain a complete understanding of the mechanisms associated with the above-mentioned processes, during the utilization of secondary materials to extract PGMs and incorporate them into new materials and processes such as nanomaterials, catalysis and CO2 capture; iii) to create knowledge, provide expertise and educate the public. This will lead to the upgrading of existing processes and the development of new ones, aligned with sustainable principles, to ensure a circular operation model of the relevant industries. Through the involvement of universities, RTOs and SMEs, CHemPGM is backed by a well-rounded team, with multiyear expertise in the relevant fields, capable to deliver high-quality results regarding the project objectives. The consortium approaches the challenge from a multidiscipline aspect and proposes a balanced number of secondments alongside trainings, workshops, seminars and events that guarantee a cross-sectorial synergy among them. As a result, CHemPGM will broaden the expertise of the organizations, contribute to the advancement of the secondees and enhance the potential for innovation to its stakeholders and those inter-related with it. Overall, the methodology for carrying out the tasks involved, guarantees the smooth running of the project and the successful fulfillment of the objectives to contribute towards a more efficient and sustainable future.

CO2MPRISE - Excellence training in solutions for CO2 capture technology aims to bring together subject matter experts from the academic and non-academic sectors to develop new technologies in CO2 capture and conversion field. The objective is to find an inexpensive, effective and robust solution for significant CO2 reduction from industries and civil transport, represents one of the main and fascinating challenges proposed to the scientific community in the next 10 years and considered as a pillar of HORIZON2020. The aim of CO2MPRISE project is to bring together subject matter experts from the academic and non-academic sectors to develop new technologies in CO2 capture and conversion field. This project aspire to reach these ambitious results through a common solid knowledge basis arising from a balanced number of secondments that guarantee a cross-sectorial synergy between recognized research centres, industry and academies. Along this line, training, workshops and seminars will be planned with the aim to impart to each partner of this consortium the fundamental skills mainly based on the technical aspects, the social challenges involved in this sector, and last but not least, market capacity. Particular attention will be also given to organize the strategy work of all activities in specific processes in order to finally introduce the results achieved into the international market. The scientific strategies will regard the study of i) Olivine-based materials to convert carbon dioxide to methane and test its potentialities under practical conditions. ii) Photoctalytic reduction of CO2 by solar radiation. iii) The not-yet explored metal-hydrides, instead of hydrogen gas, to efficiently convert CO2 to hydrocarbons in the Fisher-Tropsch reaction activated by mechanochemical input. iii) robust, inexpensive and free-metal solid sorbent membrane based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and Graphene-based sorbents, for CO2 capture from large point sources.

HERAQCLES stands for New Manufacturing Approaches for Hydrogen Electrolysers To Provide Reliable AEM Technology Based Solutions While Achieving Quality, Circularity, Low LCOH, High Efficiency And Scalability. Project HERAQCLES delivers an operational 25kW electrolyser stack including balance-of-plant based on AEM technology to validate both our novel design-for-manufacturing architecture and innovative components developed for automated production processes. AEM electrolysis offers a more attractive cost/performance ratio compared to state-of-art PEM electrolysis because these is no need to utilise precious group metals in stack components like catalysts, porous transport layers and bipolar plates for generating hydrogen at reasonably high current density. Current stack manufacturing processes face bottlenecks limited by many separate components, manual assembly and lack of tooling due to low production numbers. The project focusses on increasing Manufacturing Readiness Level from 4 to 5 by collectively advancing all components to comply with automated manufacturing processes at industrial scale: forming of metal plates, 3D-screen printing porous layers, pilot-scale synthesis of membrane polymers and catalyst. Validation occurs in three yearly loops using single cell, short stack and full 25kW stack configurations, where test results are benchmarked against commercially available options to highlight critical improvements of composition, functionality and recyclability. The experienced consortium brings together a unique combination of know-hows acquired in previous projects (e.g. Anione) and manufacturing capabilities provided by strong representation from industrial partners (6 out of 8). If successful, the final qualified stack prototype can be scaled-up quickly. Finally, a business plan is established comprising of a technology roadmap, an analysis of premium applications, an overview of product-market combinations and feasible market development plans.