• When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.

hydroMEtallurgical Tech for Interregional Urban Mining

METIUM

METIUM is a European project that connects 19 partners and develops interregional cooperation for more efficient extraction of metals from used electrical and electronic devices.
The focus is on concrete, cross-border coordinated value chains – from collection and dismantling to further processing of material flows (e.g. PCB and Cu/Al flows from engines) – with a clear focus on transferring solutions into industrial practice.
In the project, Gorenje is developing a smart (partially automated) assembly line for EoL washing machines and preparing AI and digital specifications with appropriate input data that enable faster, more repeatable and industrially applicable separation of key components.

Project ID:     101228150
Project duration:    1.11.2025 -  31. 10. 2028 (36 months)
Total eligible costs for Gorenje    647.724.50 €
CO-funding for Gorenje    453.407.15 €
Consortium    The METIUM consortium consists of 19 partners from 10 European countries (Poland, Slovakia, Finland, Portugal, Lithuania, Greece, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, and Belgium), led by the Coordinator: Lukasiewicz – Instytut Metali Niezelaznych (Poland).
Granting authority:    I3 Action Grant Budget-Based
Topic:    I3-2024-INV2a (Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 2a)

The METIUM project is a European initiative that aims to establish the first interregional innovation environment for urban mining and strengthen European independence in strategic raw materials. A consortium of 19 partners is developing four cross-border value chains that cover the entire process of extracting critical metals from used electrical and electronic devices - from collection and dismantling to pre-treatment and advanced hydrometallurgical processes. The project aims to increase recycling efficiency, improve material utilization, reduce dependence on primary resources and bring the technology to industrial maturity.

Gorenje is participating in the project primarily in the field of dismantling used washing machines, where together with its partner POLIMI it is developing a partially automated dismantling line. This will enable the efficient separation of key components, such as washing machine tubs, PCBs and electric motors, rich in aluminum and copper, which represent an important source of secondary raw materials.

The project brings significant added value to Gorenje: strengthening competencies in the field of robotics, automation and the circular economy, developing knowledge that can also be used in service and return flows, strengthening REFU center and creating new business opportunities in the field of handling high-value materials. METIUM thus represents a strategic opportunity for technological progress, sustainability and greater competitiveness of the company.

Dissemination:
METIUM
https://metium.tuke.sk/

Project web page:
www.metium.tuke.sk 

Disclaimer:

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”