Metals and materials recovery is essential for the green transition and the security of supply of critical raw materials. Through extractive metallurgy, we can efficiently produce and recycle critical raw materials for batteries and clean energy technologies, even from challenging ores and secondary materials. Together with industry partners, VTT develops and validates recovery solutions through continuous piloting and testing. The goal is to improve resource efficiency and support a carbon-neutral future.
Key facts about metals and materials recovery
Demand for critical raw materials and recovery technologies is growing, driven by climate targets and the need to secure reliable access to raw materials in Europe.
VTT helps recover metals and minerals from low-grade ores, industrial side streams and end-of-life products to reduce environmental impact and unlock new business opportunities.
Our state-of-the-art research facilities, continuous piloting capabilities and expertise in modelling and scale-up help you develop sustainable recovery processes, all under one roof.
Metals and materials recovery turns waste into value
In traditional mining and metals processing, most of the ore remains unutilised. Conventional processes typically focus on extracting a single primary metal, which may represent less than one percent of the total ore. As a result, significant amounts of material containing other valuable metals are left behind. For example, gold typically occurs at only a few grams per tonne of ore.
This underutilisation of raw materials leaves valuable side streams untapped and increases environmental impact, highlighting the need for new recovery approaches.
Today’s advanced recovery technologies and circular solutions make it possible to capture these overlooked materials and turn them into new sources of value.
Battery minerals play a key role in the energy transition
The transition to cleaner technologies is driving demand for critical metals. Global markets for electric vehicles and energy storage systems are growing fast, while the supply of high-grade ores is decreasing. We need to use lower-grade sources to meet the demand.
At VTT, we specialise in developing feasible methods for the extraction, separation and purification of valuable metals and minerals from low-grade ores and secondary sources such as waste and tailings.
With advanced extractive metallurgy technologies, even minor metals and mineral residues can be recovered, which reduces waste and enables more sustainable mining and metals production. The same methods also support efficient recycling and advance circular use of materials and resources.
Benefits of hydrometallurgy and mechanical treatment
Hydrometallurgy (hydromet) and mechanical treatment form the foundation for recovering valuable elements from low-grade ores, side streams and waste. These methods enable:
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Extracting value from low-grade materials
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Valorising side streams and waste
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Reducing environmental footprint compared to conventional processes by using optimised flowsheet designs
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Enhancing material circularity
VTT bridges mining and materials research to industrial applications
We develop new concepts that maximise the value of ores, mineral raw materials and secondary material streams, such as tailings and spent batteries. Our longstanding expertise and advanced piloting infrastructure enable the development and transfer of new recovery technologies to industrial applications.
We apply advanced hydrometallurgical methods to help our customers reduce the environmental impact of their processes and uncover new business opportunities. Our metallurgical toolbox supports the development of recovery process concepts and cleaner, more sustainable production systems.
Beyond target metals, we also focus on extracting minor elements and creating value from industrial side streams. Our technologies enable the efficient processing of mining residues and other secondary materials, turning them into valuable resources for diverse applications.
For example, mineral side streams offer potential to replace cement in construction materials, to serve as raw materials in high-temperature ceramics or as fillers in plastics. Turning waste into valuable resources benefits both the environment and the economy.
Advanced metal recycling for complex material streams
Metals are indispensable for high-tech applications ranging from batteries and electronics to complex multi-material products. Yet, many metals still have low recycling rates. The EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) aims to strengthen Europe’s resource independence by increasing the production, refining and recycling of critical metals within the EU.
At VTT, we develop recycling technologies capable of handling complex and heterogeneous material streams, including those containing hazardous components. Our expertise spans both mechanical pre-treatment and hydrometallurgical processes, enabling the efficient recovery of valuable metals from challenging sources.
Metal recycling is both a cornerstone of the circular economy and a growing business opportunity. Our innovative technologies help you turn low-grade and end-of-life materials into profitable sources of metals.
Who we work with
We work with partners across multiple industrial sectors, including:
Mining and refining
Recycling and waste management
Automotive and transport industries
Our partnerships cover the entire value chain and enable the development, piloting and industrial adoption of sustainable recovery processes.
Our offering
We offer tailored solutions for the recovery of critical and strategic metals to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re developing new processes for unique materials or facing a technical challenge, our experts are here to support you every step of the way.
You gain access to our advanced research infrastructure, including the Bioruukki piloting facilities, to validate and scale up new ideas efficiently. Together, we can turn innovation into impact.
By partnering with VTT, you can:
Validate new concepts in mineral and waste processing
Test your idea on our mechanical treatment and dry processing platforms, where it can be benchmarked, refined and validated with expert guidance.
Turn hydrometallurgical concepts into scalable processes
From early development to continuous piloting, we help you define and verify the critical process parameters.
Predict performance before piloting
With HSC Sim, we model mass and energy balances and link them to environmental footprint analysis. You gain insight into both the economics and sustainability profile upfront.
Access world-class piloting infrastructure
Hydrometallurgy and mechanical separation under one roof, with experienced specialists to guide and interpret the results.
Tap into deep raw-material expertise
Leverage our experience in streams such as steel side-products, spent batteries and primary sulphides to shorten development cycles and avoid common pitfalls.
Explore bio-based recovery
Test biological processes for metal recovery and sulphate reduction in controlled laboratory settings.
Validate high-pressure leaching
Use a lab-scale benchtop autoclave to study leaching behaviour and generate reliable parameters for autoclave scale-up tests.
Design smarter, faster processes
Combine tailored process design with mass and energy balance simulations to identify optimal operating conditions and reduce trial-and-error.
Trust in data that convinces investors
Our in-house analytical services, integrated with piloting, ensure robust, reproducible and decision-ready results.
Projects and ecosystems in metals and materials recovery
BATCircle is a Finnish research and innovation consortium led by Aalto University, advancing a sustainable and competitive battery value chain through circular economy solutions. The project focuses on developing next-generation battery chemicals, recycling methods, synergistic processing and sustainable refining technologies. By combining expertise from universities, research institutes and industry, the aim is to reduce reliance on critical raw materials, improve material recovery and position Finland as a global leader in battery metals and energy solutions.
METALLICO addresses the growing demand and supply risks of critical battery raw materials by recovering valuable materials from primary and secondary resources, demonstrating sustainable production and recovery of critical battery metals, assessing their end-use potential, applying innovative technologies for identification and characterisation and fostering social participation, stakeholder engagement and networking.
CICERO addresses two key challenges facing Europe’s battery value chain: the strong dependence on a limited number of third countries for refined nickel, cobalt and manganese salts, and the significant environmental, health and safety impacts associated with their current mining and processing practices. CICERO’s work focuses on developing a sustainable and cost-effective European processing and refining model for Ni, Co and Mn, including their downstream conversion into “made-in-Europe” NMC materials for lithium-ion batteries.
How to work with us
We are happy to collaborate with you throughout the entire journey, from the initial idea to implementation, or anywhere in between. We customise the project to suit your specific needs. Following an initial assessment, we can offer you a range of options, including the following:
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Customised partnership
Every research case is unique, and we’re happy to tailor our services to your needs. We’ll take you from idea to prototype without hassle.
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Cooperative project
We frequently participate in research and development projects with multiple business partners and funding agencies. In cooperative projects, the risk is split between multiple organisations, and everyone benefits from the results.
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Our networks and ecosystems at your disposal
We are happy to put you in touch with the ideal sparring and development partner.
Experts behind the service
Research Professor, Dr. (Tech.), M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.) Päivi Kinnunen works in the field of industrial circular economy, utilisation of mining industry side streams and (bio) hydrometallurgy. Kinnunen has worked in several scientist and team leader positions including coordination of large R&D projects, such as METGROW+ and ITERAMS.
Antti Porvali works as a team leader in a group that houses expertise in hydrometallurgy, minerals processing and microbiology. Porvali has worked with many feed materials, including spent batteries (NiMH, Li-ion), used magnets and secondary feeds like sulphide side products. He has managed several high-budget projects, such as BATCircle2.0 at VTT, and has worked at the interface of academia and industry for the past 10 years.
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Related infrastructure
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about metals and materials recovery
How can I develop my process concept?
VTT’s experts and platforms help you advance your concept from desktop to laboratory testing and further validate it in our continuous piloting environment.
How can I benchmark a new technology against traditional hydrometallurgical methods?
VTT supports benchmarking by designing tailored test programmes, generating comparative performance data and validating results against established hydrometallurgical processes. Our advanced piloting infrastructure and analytical expertise ensure reliable, industry-relevant proof to guide your decision-making.
I have a new feed for my hydromet facility. How can I develop it from concept to continuous operation?
VTT supports you at every step from concept testing to validation under continuous operation. We can help you:
Obtain data on alternative oxidants and their impact on leaching.
Remove trace elements from process solutions with IX columns, enabling the study of e.g. raffinate, strip solution or waste water purification.
Separate Co from Ni by solvent extraction (SX) using your chosen extractants and PLS in our 12-stage mixer-settler pilot.
I have a solid feed but testing it would require stopping my production line. Is there another way?
VTT's mechanical treatment facility enables modular test campaigns that simulate production-line conditions, avoiding downtime. The equipment includes size-based and density separators (zig-zag, Falcon), a twin-shaft shear for primary crushing, a secondary crusher (hammer and ball mill), high- and low- intensity magnetic separators, as well as eddy-current and electrostatic separators.
What kinds of feedstocks can I test with VTT?
VTT has experience with both primary ores and secondary streams, including recycled batteries, steel-industry side streams, tailings and Zn-industry residues such as jarosite.
This FAQ is written by AI and checked by a human.
