Valorisation of chromium and magnesium from industrial waste in Sweden

Turning metallurgical waste into valuable raw materials through biomining and industrial symbiosis

Large quantities of metallurgical waste are generated during ferrochrome production. Although these residual materials contain potentially valuable metals, conventional recovery methods can be energy-intensive and environmentally burdensome.

The project will develop a sustainable microbiological process for recovering chromium and magnesium from ferrochrome production waste. Safe, acid-producing microorganisms will be used to biologically extract the metals, after which they will be separated and recovered. The aim is to establish a more resource-efficient recovery route with a lower carbon footprint than conventional processes.

By transforming industrial waste into secondary raw materials, the project can contribute to reduced waste disposal, improved resource efficiency and more secure access to strategically important metals. In the longer term, the results can support Sweden’s and the EU’s ambitions regarding circular material use, climate neutrality and raw-material security.

Chalmers Industriteknik’s role

• Map the input and output flows associated with the biomining process
• Identify industrial symbiosis opportunities and potential regional partners
• Develop a roadmap for industrial symbiosis and future implementation

Project partners

The project brings together academic expertise, industrial and process knowledge, and industrial-symbiosis competence:

• Linnaeus University is the project coordinator and leads the research and development of the microbiological metal-extraction process.
• Outokumpu contributes expertise and an industrial perspective from the stainless steel and ferrochrome value chain.

Funding and project period

The project runs until November 2028 and has received funding from Vinnova. It is carried out within Swedish Metals & Minerals, a Swedish Impact Innovation programme, under the call for Research and development projects within Technological Action Areas.