Waste management company Vestia Oy is currently exploring the potential of metal recovery from wastewater at its waste center. The ongoing project utilizes Weeefiner’s 4D Scavenger® technology for metal recovery.
The purpose of Vestia’s exploration is to determine whether the treatment of wastewater at the waste center can be further enhanced and the metal content in the wastewater reduced. The goal is to recover valuable metals from the water, allowing them to be returned to industrial use. Additionally, the aim is to meet increasingly stringent circular economy and emission regulations. The project began in February 2024 and is expected to be completed in the fall.
Weeefiner’s 4D Scavenger® technology is being used in the ongoing exploration. This technology enables the “capture” of metals from wastewater. Preliminary results suggest that the concentrations of zinc and nickel in the treated wastewater could allow for economically viable metal recovery using this technology.
The goal is to improve material circulation
“The technology used for recovery is based on Weeefiner Oy’s 4D Scavenger® technology, which recovers metals (such as nickel and zinc) from wastewater by combining 3D printing and chemistry. If the study proves economically viable, the intention is to continue examining the recovery of other valuable metals,” says project manager Jukka Saukko from Vestia.
Previously, metals were precipitated during wastewater pretreatment and then returned to the landfill. However, the resulting sludge was not usable. The 4D Scavenger® solution can significantly improve material circulation, thus reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
The project is based on the EU regulation on critical raw materials, which came into force in March, aiming, among other things, to strengthen the circular economy and recycling of rare earth metals.
About Vestia Oy:
Vestia Oy, established in 1999, is a non-profit waste management company owned by 16 municipalities, operating in the Siika-, Pyhä-, Kala-, and Lestijokilaakso regions. The company manages the waste collection, transportation, utilization, and treatment of household waste, as well as recycling education, on behalf of its owner municipalities.