Inorganic materials

We specialize in battery expertise, the by-products of energy production, and inorganic materials, developing sustainable solutions aligned with circular economy principles. These solutions reduce environmental impacts and enhance resource efficiency. Our goal is to create new business opportunities and support sustainable development through recycling and smart material usage.

Industrial Inorganic By-Products 

Industrial by-products containing inorganic materials often end up in landfills or treatment facilities, where they are discarded. This linear economy practice fails to maximize the potential of these materials and can lead to significant environmental impacts, such as waste issues, resource inefficiency, and the overuse of natural resources. 

We explore how inorganic by-products can be utilized as new raw materials or processed into high-value products within a circular economy framework. Our activities are supported by robust networks with regional industries and a diverse research environment, enabling material analysis, testing, and scaling from laboratory to pilot scale. 

Battery Expertise 

At Centria, our research and development address the entire battery value chain—from mining and refining processes to battery dismantling, repurposing, and recycling. Our research focuses on circular economy principles, bio-based materials, and cascade thinking, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient battery value chain. 

In the battery industry, it is crucial to ensure that the valuable materials used in battery production are returned to the cycle, either for reuse in batteries or for new applications, reducing the need for virgin raw materials. This approach supports circular economy principles and reduces environmental impacts. Our research emphasizes material reuse and alternative sources, with a particular focus on anode material development and sourcing alternative materials for current battery chemistries. 

Our goal is to establish a sustainable and resource-efficient battery value chain that maximizes the lifespan of materials. 

Nutrient Recovery and Soil Improvement Products 

Recycled fertilizers and nutrients are vital for sustainable nutrient solutions in the future. Utilizing surplus materials from various industries in fertilizer production significantly reduces the environmental impacts across the product lifecycle. The fluctuating availability of synthetic fertilizers highlights the need for regional and innovative solutions to enhance fertilizer self-sufficiency. 

By-Products from Energy Production 

Efficient and economically viable utilization of by-products from energy production is a key research theme linked to our broader RDI expertise. By-products from low-carbon energy production, such as biogas production, can be transformed into fertilizers with the right separation and processing methods. 

We study by-products suitable as raw materials for recycled fertilizers, assess their nutrient potential, and explore nutrient recovery options. Our research considers legislative barriers, as well as technical and economic factors, in recycled fertilizer production.