METIUM (HydroMEtallurgical Tech for Interregional Urban Mining) is building Europe’s first interregional Urban Mining ecosystem to recover critical materials from waste, bringing together expertise in research, industry, recycling and engineering to advance circular innovation and resource independence.
A future where cities become reliable sources of valuable materials, supporting a circular, sustainable, and resource-independent Europe.
The aim is to recover critical materials from end-of-life products and waste streams, reducing dependency on imports while supporting Europe’s circular economy and strengthening industrial resilience. By addressing both environmental and supply challenges, the project contributes to a more sustainable, competitive, and resource-secure future for Europe. It also supports the transition towards a low-carbon economy by reducing the need for primary resource extraction.
METIUM develops and scales interregional Urban Mining value chains that connect collection, pre-processing, and advanced hydrometallurgical recovery. By integrating these steps, the project enables efficient and high-quality recovery of Strategic Raw Materials from end-of-life products. Through innovation, cross-border collaboration, and industrial validation, METIUM accelerates the transition from research to real-world application, ensuring long-term impact and scalability across European regions.
METIUM connects 19 organisations across Europe, bringing together expertise in research, industry, recycling and engineering to advance circular innovation and resource independence.
This strong partnership enables effective collaboration across regions, supporting the development of interregional Urban Mining value chains and scalable solutions for critical raw materials recovery.
Rethinking Resources. Redefining Europe. METIUM reimagines the way Europe approaches materials by shifting from extraction to recovery. Instead of viewing waste as an endpoint, the project positions it as a valuable resource stream that can support industry, innovation, and sustainability.
By enabling new connections between regions, technologies, and stakeholders, METIUM creates a foundation for smarter resource use and long-term resilience. This approach helps Europe move towards a system where materials are continuously reused, reducing environmental impact while strengthening economic stability.
“Let’s Shape the
Future Together.”
See how METIUM transforms urban waste into valuable resources through innovation, collaboration, and advanced recycling technologies—driving Europe’s transition to a circular, resilient, and resource-independent future.