Expert Forum: Green & Circular Metals SIGN Launch will take place this year from 24–25 November in Düsseldorf. Professor Bernd Friedrich will participate as a speaker in the second panel discussion: Status of circularity, design for recycling, technology readiness & gaps, trends & bottlenecks.

The event offers a valuable platform for networking and dialogue with policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators, all working to advance sustainable product design, improve recycling and reuse practices, and reduce waste. A key objective of the forum is to provide coordinated input to the European Commission as it prepares the upcoming Circular Economy Act.

As Head of the IME, Prof. Bernd Friedrich provided insights into the current scientific landscape and outlined perspectives for the future development of metallurgy:

• Although many thermochemical processes are technically feasible, their economic viability often remains out of reach. Full circularity for the many strategic metals is therefore more a vision than a reality.
• To reduce metal losses, the interfaces between dismantling, pre-treatment, and metallurgical processing must be optimized, where artificial intelligence can provide valuable support.
• Even the most sophisticated simulation models require experimental validation before industrial implementation, a core responsibility of research institutions.
• At the same time, universities are increasingly struggling to supply qualified young talent, as long-term commitment from industry is declining. Shrinking public base funding further jeopardizes the maintenance of essential expertise and infrastructure—challenges that are exacerbated by the decreasing willingness of industry to engage in long-term research partnerships.

Link: https://eitrawmaterials.eu/events/expert-forum-green-circular-metals-sign-launch