Técnicas Reunidas promotes the SINCER project to recover essential metals from metallurgical waste

• The project arises from the need to explore new routes and processes for the transformation, recovery, and recycling of fundamental metals from multiorigin industrial waste produced by the metallurgical industry, which are currently discarded. 
• SINCER is funded by the Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the Missions Science and Innovation 2025 programme. 

Last January marked the start of activities for the SINCER project (Industrial Symbiosis for Circularity and the Economy of Essential Raw Materials), whose purpose is to investigate the recovery of fundamental and key metals present in industrial waste from various origins generated by the metallurgical industry.

Its main objective is to promote effective industrial symbiosis through research into sustainable technologies aimed at the recovery and valorization of fundamental metals, such as manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni) or chromium (Cr), and key metals such as zinc (Zn) or iron (Fe), present in these residues. 

In particular, its aim is to close material loops and facilitate their reincorporation both into original processes and into new strategic applications such as batteries, magnets, and alloys. 

The SINCER project is developed by a consortium led by FERROGLOBE, with participation from five additional companies: Técnicas Reunidas, SIDENOR, AUTLAN, Magnesitas Navarras, and Semantic Systems, along with nine research organisations (GAIKER, CTC, CETIM, Idonial, Tecnalia, Leitat, the University of Barcelona, the University of Navarra, and Lurrederra). 

SINCER will develop viable processes that enable the consortium’s industrial companies to recover and purify elements contained in byproducts that currently have no commercial outlet, turning them into reusable raw materials and thereby reducing external dependence on raw materials in their production processes. 

More specifically, the project expects to valorize up to nine waste streams generated by four industrial partners: FERROGLOBE, SIDENOR, AUTLAN, and Magnesitas Navarras. Meanwhile, Semantic Systems, a technology company specializing in industrial AI and blockchain solutions, will design an interoperable digital ecosystem to ensure complete traceability of the value chain. 

To achieve these objectives, SINCER will combine hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes, together with advanced conditioning and separation technologies, to maximize resource recovery and improve the circularity of strategic raw materials. These activities will be led by Técnicas Reunidas, a company with extensive experience in such technologies and processes. 

The project will run for four years with a total budget of €7,333,603, of which TÉCNICAS REUNIDAS contributes €2,039,289.

Ultimately, SINCER will help consolidate a robust circular economy around fundamental raw materials, reducing external dependence and generating highvalue scientific and technological knowledge for the industry. 

Subvencionado por el CDTI N° expediente: MIG-20251225