Demo Cases

The lithium residue comes from a site in Spain, and it is processed and tested in Spain and Germany by a network of industrial and research partners.

LAR (Lithium Aluminosilicate Residue) is a by-product from lithium extraction. Instead of being discarded, ICARUS is exploring how it can be turned into useful materials for construction and ceramics.

By reusing mining waste, the project reduces the need for quarrying natural materials, cuts CO₂ emissions from transport, and prevents landfill disposal.

The ceramics and construction sectors can reduce costs and environmental impact, while mining regions benefit from new job opportunities and more sustainable local development.

Cellulosic fibres could be used as a reinforcing component in binder materials. More specifically, these recovered fibres from WWTPs and AHP products could be added, for example, to concrete mixtures applied particularly in slabs and pavements. These concrete structures have a large surface area compared to their volume and are prone to cracking due to drying shrinkage, especially in hot and windy climates. The use of cellulose fibres would help reduce crack width or even prevent their formation.

Toilet paper is the main source of cellulose in WWTPs, and cellulose content can vary between 20% and 30% of the influent’s chemical oxygen demand (COD). Thus, the recovery of cellulose will not only support the promotion of circular economy strategies but also help reduce the influent organic matter load to WWTP, and consequently, the overall energy consumption of the treatment .

The raw materials used by leading manufacturers of absorbent personal hygiene products (AHPs) are of the highest quality, given the sensitive nature of their intended use. Preserving not only their quality but also the exceptional chemical-physical properties that make these materials so carefully selected is therefore of critical importance. i-Foria’s proprietary treatment process for recycling post-consumer AHPs fully addresses this challenge by retaining the original performance characteristics of the materials. The result is the production of high-quality cellulose, suitable for reuse in a wide range of industrial applications.

The recovery of cellulosic sludge will take place at the Sant Celoni Wastewater Treatment Plant (Barcelona, Spain), operated by ACCIONA, and it will be recycled at i-Foria’s R&D center located within SMC Group’s facilities in Spresiano (Italy), where AHP products will also be processed.

Unlike conventional slag valorisation, producing PCC directly from slag adds high-value functionality. It enables CO₂ mineralization, turning emissions into a marketable product. Most slag reuse focuses on bulk applications like cement; PCC production taps into fine chemical markets. Residual fractions are not discarded but upcycled into construction materials, closing multiple loops. This dual valorisation is unique among industrial waste strategies. It shifts slag from low-grade material to a source of premium and sustainable materials

Producing PCC from steel slag fulfils two environmental objectives: first, the upcycling and valorisation of the slag in the production of an added value product. Otherwise, the slag will be mostly landfilled or partially utilized in no-profitable applications. Secondly, the process is carbon negative, by means of the sequestration of CO2 from industrial streams in the PCC structure, thus preventing its release into the atmosphere.

Additionally, to ensure a circular approach, all the co-products generated along the process can be incorporated as a raw material in various industries—such as ceramics, construction, and steelmaking—promoting industrial symbiosis, boosting economy and reducing the need for virgin raw materials.

Stabilised steel slag can be processed into pigments or additives for ceramic tiles, offering colouration effects and technical properties similar to conventional materials. All materials will be tested to meet strict safety and performance standards. The slag is chemically stabilised before use to ensure it is non-hazardous and suitable for ceramic applications.

All, contributes to reduce the need for natural raw materials like clays or metal oxides, lowering environmental impact and supporting a more circular production model in the ceramics industry.

Steelmaking slags is a historical alternative material for the construction sector, although in minor proportions. Several problematics , such as volumetric expansion and leaching, prevent its major acceptance and use in the sector as aggregates or sand. After the process of DC3, the stabilized slags is expected to lack of this drawbacks, becoming a sustainable and competitive material in this applications, unlocking the negative perspective of the slags and other residues.