This article introduces the K.U.Leuven Research Network on Sustainable Inorganic Materials Management. It deals with the recent erection of the European branch of the Center for Resource Recovery and Recycling at the K.U.Leuven, Belgium. The full reference for the article is P.T. Jones, T. Van Gerven, K. Van Acker, D. Geysen, K. Binnemans, J. Fransaer, B. Blanpain, B. Mishra, D. Apelian, Journal of Metals (JOM), 63 (12), 2011, 12-13.
Introduction
The transition toward resource efficient, low-carbon closed-loop economies is an urgent necessity as our world is facing unstable but rising fossil energy prices, resource shortages, and unprecedented environmental challenges. In the E.U. in particular the prospect of insufficient and often critical raw materials (metals and minerals) will hamper further economic development.(1) For example, the attempts to increase the share of wind energy, solar power, and electric transportation will face a shortage of critical metals for the production of batteries, PV-panels, and strong magnets. New technologies are required to better separate metals and minerals from leaner ores and secondary materials.(2)
Read further on the pdf of the article: CR3, Jones et al., JOM, 2012e
Related websites:
a. SMaRT-Pro²: www.smartpro2.eu.
b. CR³: www.wpi.edu/academics/Research/CR3/index.html.
c. Center for High Temperature Processes and Sustainable Materials Management (CHTP): www.mtm.kuleuven.be/Onderzoek/Semper/Hitemp/centre/main.
d. Slag Valorisation Symposia: http://slag-valorisationsymposium.eu/organisers.php.
e. Enhanced Landfill Mining Research Consortium: http://www.elfm-symposium.eu.
f. Research Group High Temperature Processes and Industrial Ecology: www.mtm.kuleuven.be/Onderzoek/Semper/Hitemp.
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