The focus will be on recovering metals from metallurgical wastes with hydrogen choosing two representative wastes from the copper and aluminium production processes, namely: flash smelter slag from primary copper production and bauxite residue from alumina production.

The project will thus eliminate waste from the metallurgical industry while recovering valuable materials, and increasing the use of hydrogen in the industry, making steps toward the less carbon-dependent metallurgical industry necessary for a sustainable future. The plasma rotary furnace at SINTEF will be used to heat treat pelletized bauxite residue in a hydrogen atmosphere. SINTEF is coordinating the project which has 10 partners from Greece, Germany, Belgium and Norway. The contact person is Casper van der Eijk.