In an era where sustainable technology solutions are crucial for our future, European cleantech pioneers are uniting to transform the recovery and reuse of critical rare earth elements. This €18 million collaborative effort across six countries demonstrates how innovation can drive both environmental and economic value.
CLIC Innovation orchestrates European sustainability initiative
Launched in October 2024, this four-year initiative unites 24 partners from Finland, Spain, Estonia, Italy, Slovenia, and Ireland to develop solutions for rare earth element recovery and recycling. The project, supported by €16 million in EU funding, represents a significant step toward European resource independence and circular economy advancement.
REMHub aims to strengthen the European Union’s use of rare earth elements (REE) through its overarching goals which include securing the supply security of REEs, enabling safe and sustainable circularity, and contributing to responsible sourcing. The establishment of the REMHub also aims to enhance the accessibility of REE services across Europe.
The primary goal is to establish Europe as a leader in sustainable REE management through a set of interconnected initiatives and interests. The project aims to develop and implement cutting-edge technologies for REE exploration and recovery, emphasizing environmentally sound solutions minimizing ecological impact while maximizing resource efficiency.
Weeefiner’s areas of focus in REMHub: Novel technologies for production of rare earth elements from primary and secondary sources
Advancing refining and separation technologies to improve the efficiency of rare earth element recovery. By developing a specialized 4D Scavenger technology, Weeefiner is producing tailored solutions to enhance material efficiency in order to redefine how industries recover valuable materials.
In addition Weeefiner seeks to identify underutilized industrial waste streams as sources for REEs. This initiative has the potential to transform waste management practices, driving industries towards adopting more sustainable operations while maximizing resource utilization.
“Our participation in REMHub represents an important opportunity to demonstrate how innovative water treatment solutions can contribute to both environmental sustainability and industrial efficiency. By working together with our European partners, we can accelerate the development of solutions that help industries transition toward more sustainable operations while maintaining their competitive edge.”
Mikko Hänninen, Founder and CEO at Weeefiner
Shared European vision
The collaboration within REMHub demonstrates how businesses can collectively address sustainability challenges. Through this project, Weeefiner’s selective recovery expertise will contribute to developing comprehensive methods for recovering rare earth elements from various streams, supporting the project’s goal of establishing a comprehensive digital innovation hub for rare earth elements.
This partnership advances technological solutions and strengthens Europe’s position in the green transition. Participants contribute through cross-border collaboration and shared expertise in order to solve environmental challenges while creating opportunities in the green technology sector. By participating in REMHub, Weeefiner continues its commitment to developing commercially viable solutions that support both business and sustainability globally.
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Mikko Hänninen
Chief Executive Officer
+358407053973
mikko.hanninen@weeefiner.fi