The European Union has underexploited potential to produce critical raw materials (CRM) and special metals, as stated in the Study on the EU’s list of Critical Raw Materials (2020). Concretely, the battery sector is considered as a key strategic sector for the EU due to the increased use of batteries in different important sectors such as electric mobility. Thus, METALLICO proposal presents a new opportunity for the European Union. It is composed by an strategic consortium along the value chain, including mining and industrial sites with primary and secondary sources of critical and battery metals (Li, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni); experienced partners to pilot novel processes for producing battery-grade materials based on previous projects and activities; industrial and SME end-users in the battery, cement, paint, and ceramic sectors; and partners to demonstrate the social-license-to-operate (including the support of government bodies), sustainability and commercial chances that the solution represents. Worldwide, these battery metals are predominantly in Chile, Australia, South Africa, China, and The Democratic Republic of Congo, representing a high risk for the EU in terms of supply shortage. For example, in the case of Li, the EU import reliance is 87% for lithium concentrates and 100% for refined compounds as there is no domestic refining . METALLICO includes 4 cases studies in the EU to recover: battery-grade Li2CO3 from a primary spodumene/lepidolite/petalite deposit; Co concentrates and battery-grade CoSO4 from a mine secondary resource (CLC); and Cu, Co, Mn, and Ni concentrates from metallurgical slag from a Pb refining company (KHGM) and secondary mine tailings (THARSIS). Upscaling of sustainable and innovative upstream and downstream processes will demonstrate the techno-economic recovery and production of these critical and important metals for the EU.

The overarching objective of OPEN-INNO-Train is to form an international and inter-sectoral network of organisations collaboratively working on the joint research field of Open Innovation, University-Industry Cooperation and Research Translation. To facilitate Knowledge Development and Sharing in four contemporary areas - FinTech, Industry 4.0, CleanTech, FoodTech. For globally interconnected societies, scientific research has the potential to foster yet unrealised economic growth, competitiveness, and wellbeing. The conversion of research outputs into tangible outcomes, and, ultimately, sustainable impact is critically important and needs optimising. The process of converting research findings into economic and social benefits appears increasingly complex at a time when researchers often work in multidisciplinary teams, in a context of Open Innovation when cooperating with industry and other stakeholders. Illuminating it from the perspective of Research Translation, an approach increasingly gaining traction in the specific setting of University-Industry Collaboration, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN aims at opening the black box of knowledge conversion processes to generate and apply new insights from those four industry areas. Furthermore, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN encapsulates the development of robust Research Translation tools capable of facilitating the translation process of multidisciplinary research findings for the generation of impact. Combining scientific excellence from European and international universities, Research and Technology Organisations with hands on expertise from pioneering companies, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN will spearhead this sustainable venture using digital innovation hubs, co-tutelle, industrial PhDs, PPPs and training measures to encourage international cooperation among researchers and industry practitioners across disciplines whose final aim is to holistically foster, enhance and sustain over time the application of good research translation practices.

The SMAR3TS project arises as a response to climate change and environmental degradation. It orchestrates an ambitious international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral staff exchange program for research and innovation, aimed at accelerating sociotechnical transitions for inclusive and sustainable growth. It actively tackles grand societal challenges that endanger global stability and prosperity, and adversely impact fundamental human needs such as food, mobility, energy, and housing. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions to ecosystems all have far-reaching consequences that transcend borders and require collaboration to develop timely and innovative solutions. SMAR3TS builds a Powerhouse Consortium with amplified network effect by uniting cross-disciplinary expertise of researchers and practitioners from 23 beneficiary partners, and 13 Associate/Third Country Partners working on research excellence through secondments, conferences, workshops, summer schools, knowledge-sharing platforms and activities to transform research outputs into tangible outcomes. United in diversity, SMAR3TS network spearheads innovations across various sectors to support resilient, restorative, and regenerative futures. By leveraging Open innovation strategies, SMAR3TS facilitates knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the co-creation of actionable solutions. By enabling a Quadruple-Helix approach (i.e. university-industry-government-civil society collaboration) and offering advanced training opportunities on research translation, futures thinking, foresight and other necessary tools and techniques, it equips researchers with key skills to design pathways for societal impact. Overall, SMAR3TS pursues a proactive strategy to build a fair, inclusive and regenerating world by collectively advancing science, technology, and innovation, triggering behavioural, organization and policy changes.