The University of Exeter will lead a pioneering new research centre, designed to revolutionize how crucial metals are extracted, used and reused in clean and digital technologies across the UK. The Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre in Technology Metals, led by experts from the Camborne School of Mines, is one of five new centres announced by the Government today (11 November 2020). Funded as part of a £22.5 million Government investment, it will explore how to create a circular economy for the technology metals such as cobalt, rare earths and lithium that are essential in all clean and digital technologies including electric cars and wind turbines.
Professor Frances Wall, from the University of Exeter and who will lead the project said: “We have been looking for this opportunity to join up across the value chain for a while. Individual research projects can only go so far in solving the problem of sustainable supply and use of these specialist materials. “This opportunity is really exciting because we bring together all the disciplines ranging from geology, chemistry, engineering to social science and business to consider the whole system. “Together with our project partners we will make a new road map for a technology metals circular economy centred on the UK.”
Moving to a circular economy will provide significant benefits by reducing UK waste and the environmental impact of production and consumption both in the UK and abroad and creating opportunities for new UK industries. EPSRC Executive Chair, Professor Dame Lynn Gladden, said: “The move to a circular economy, where we use less resources and reuse more materials, is central to the UK’s green industrial revolution and our commitment to achieving a net zero economy by 2050. “By bringing together a wide range of academic disciplines with industry partners the centres will catalyse innovative new technologies and approaches that will boost the UK economy and benefit the environment.”
Source: Eurek Alert!
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