Recovery of reusable materials
We use our comprehensive technological capabilities and experience to develop processes for recovering reusable materials from waste water and liquid process media, as well as from secondary and non-conventional raw material sources. Fraunhofer IKTS is able to cover the full wet chemical process chain, starting with the extraction (leaching) from solids, to enriching using membrane-supported extraction processes, through to the pure metal or target product. In this regard, electrochemical processes are preferred, but combinations of processes including extraction processes are also used. The corresponding chemical recovery and waste water treatment are of course also part of the IKTS portfolio.
Fraunhofer IKTS has extensive experience in recovering rare earth concentrate from secondary raw material sources, preparing rare earth compounds in a pure state, as well as in recovering special and precious metals (indium, gallium, tellurium, silver, palladium, platinum, rhodium) from scrap metal and dump materials. Hypolimnic water is one non-conventional source, allowing the extraction of many important raw materials, depending on the specific site.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive technological know-how on membrane and electrochemical processes
- Wide range of experience in terms of chemistry and materials (rare earths, special metals, precious metals)
- Pilot and research facility for process development and optimization, available at short notice