The Horizon Europe-funded MECALO project is leading the charge in revolutionising the production of critical raw materials (CRMs) essential for European industry.
By leveraging renewable hydrogen and innovative carbon-looping technologies, MECALO aims to achieve CO2-neutral production of Silicon (Si) and Manganese (Mn), marking a significant leap toward sustainable industrial practices.
This initiative aligns with the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act, which prioritises a secure and sustainable supply of CRMs while advancing climate neutrality goals.
Tackling Europe’s reliance on critical raw materials
Silicon and manganese are indispensable components for Europe’s clean technology initiatives and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Despite their importance, Europe relies heavily on imports for these materials, with China supplying 76% of the global silicon demand.
Norway leads as Europe’s primary supplier, contributing 33% of silicon, while France and Norway collectively supply only 5% of ferromanganese.
This dependency highlights the urgent need for Europe to bolster its CRM production capabilities to reduce reliance on external sources and ensure resilience in critical industries.
MECALO’s ambitious vision for CO2-neutral production
MECALO’s primary goal is to establish a sustainable, CO2-free model for producing silicon and manganese. The project’s innovative approach includes:
- Renewable hydrogen integration: Utilising hydrogen sourced from renewable energy to replace fossil carbon in metallurgical processes, significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
- Carbon looping technology: Developing processes that minimise reliance on fossil fuels, achieving up to a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions during Si and Mn production.
Through these advancements, MECALO aims to replace 9 million tonnes of coal imports annually with 15 billion Nm³ of hydrogen by 2050, cutting 33 million tonnes of annual CO2 emissions.
Moreover, the project’s approach could serve as a blueprint for decarbonising other energy-intensive industries across Europe.
Addressing challenges in decarbonising critical industries
Many metallurgical processes, including those producing silicon and manganese, depend on carbothermic reduction, which generates CO2 as a by-product.
While hydrogen offers a promising alternative for decarbonisation, its lower reductant efficiency poses challenges for certain metals.
MECALO’s innovative approach overcomes these obstacles, paving the way for sustainable CRM production without the need to develop entirely new production technologies from scratch.
A pan-European collaboration for a sustainable future
Funded by the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for research and innovation (2021-2027), the MECALO project brings together 15 partners from eight EU member states and associated countries. This multidisciplinary consortium includes:
- Four research centres
- Four small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
- Five industrial partners
- Two additional entities
Coordinated by SINTEF, the collaboration covers the entire critical raw materials value chain, ensuring a comprehensive and cohesive approach to achieving the project’s ambitious goals.
By combining expertise from research institutions and industry leaders, MECALO is poised to deliver transformative results that will strengthen Europe’s position in the global CRM market.
The MECALO project officially kicked off with a meeting in Trondheim, Norway, on October 28-29, 2024.
During the event, project partners outlined their roles and laid the groundwork for the 42-month initiative. Participants also visited SINTEF’s state-of-the-art laboratories to explore the cutting-edge technologies essential for achieving MECALO’s objectives.
A path toward sustainable CRM production
The MECALO project embodies the EU’s commitment to sustainable innovation, aiming to secure a resilient future for critical industries.
By prioritising CO2-free production and leveraging renewable hydrogen, MECALO addresses urgent challenges in CRM production while aligning with Europe’s climate neutrality targets.
Through collaboration and cutting-edge research, this transformative initiative not only reduces environmental impact but also enhances Europe’s industrial autonomy.
As MECALO progresses, it sets the stage for a cleaner, more sustainable future for the production of critical raw materials, ensuring Europe remains competitive and environmentally responsible on the global stage.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions under Grant Agreement No. 101177480. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
