Green economy: ENEA presented activities on critical raw materials recovery at Ecomondo 2025

At Ecomondo 2025, the key event for green and circular economy, ENEA presented its new Critical Raw Materials Hub (CRM Hub), a research infrastructure dedicated to the recycling of CRMs, ecodesign, and the development of innovative materials through eco-sustainable processes.
At the Rimini Expo Centre ENEA experts also exhibited  research activities focused on producing biopackaging, biofertilizers and food supplements from brewing industry waste and by products, as well as tailored technology-transfer initiatives for companies.

The CRM HUB stems from a PNRR project (Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan) aimed at developing innovative and eco-sustainable technological solutions up to pilot scale. The goal is to increase the recovery of critical raw materials contained in WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), batteries and complex end-of-life products, thereby reducing emissions and waste.

The infrastructure includes six laboratories located in three ENEA Research Centers and will provide services to companies and the wider industrial system, enhancing local value chains: ceramics and automotive sectors for Faenza Research Center (Ravenna); aerospace, marine and renewable energy sectors for Brindisi Research Center, and WEEE recycling and additive manufacturing Casaccia Research Center (Rome).

“The CRM HUB will serve as a research and development space for advanced recycling and ecodesign technologies supporting the sustainable recovery of critical raw materials, as well as for training and professional upskilling” explains Claudia Brunori, Director of the ENEA Department for Sustainability.

“The CRM HUB,” she continues, “will operate as an open infrastructure for companies, universities and research bodies, contributing to the green transition, the growth of qualified employment based on competitive technologies aligned with the circular economy, and to the security and sustainability of strategic resource supply, as outlined in the CRM Act.”

The new hub will also rely on existing facilities at the Casaccia Research Center, including ROMEO (for WEEE such as phones and computers), PROTEO (for end-of-life photovoltaic panels), and a new battery recycling hall currently under construction within the IPCEI European Battery Innovation – EuBatIn project.

“At Ecomondo, we also previewed the OVER portal – Virtual Workshop for Ecodesign and Recycling, currently under development,” adds Brunori. “The web platform is designed to promote the sharing of best technologies in ecodesign and secondary raw material recovery from end-of-life products, as well as advanced industrial practices and business opportunities in recycling and sustainable design.”

Visitors were able to experience a virtual reality simulation in which they could explore the various material components of a photovoltaic module in an immersive way. In addition to the CRM HUB and the OVER portal, ENEA’s booth highlighted research on the recovery and valorization of bioresources, such as brewing by-products. ENEA has developed a process to obtain biomaterials rich in proteins, fibers and vitamins from spent yeast, which can be used to produce sustainable packaging, biofertilizers and food supplements. To further reduce soil and water consumption in agriculture and lower carbon footprint, ENEA also presented edible mushroom cultivation on alternative substrates such as bran, coffee grounds and hazelnut shells.

At the ENEA stand representatives of industrial districts and trade associations from the national fashion system were interviewed to assess companies’ awareness of ecodesign issues and jointly develop targeted support strategies. The initiative is part of an ongoing survey under the MIMIT-ENEA institutional agreement for actions implementing the European Ecodesign Regulation.

Visitors also met ENEA’s Technology Transfer Service experts, available for discussions on research-industry collaborations, knowledge exchange and co-design of innovative solutions. This service acted as a one-stop desk offering personalized support and information on technologies, research infrastructures and partnership opportunities to promote sustainable innovation and growth within Italy’s production system.

“ENEA’s participation in an international event such as Ecomondo strengthens our role as a national reference point in research and the development of solutions for product and process innovation, as well as in the valorization of results contributing to Italy’s growth and competitiveness,” states Giorgio Graditi, ENEA Director General. “ENEA,” he adds, “is deeply committed to developing technologies and methodologies for the efficient use of energy and non-energy resources, which are crucial to addressing global challenges. Moreover, thanks to our multidisciplinary expertise and advanced infrastructures, we provide concrete support to both industry and institutions in their ecological transition”.