Start-up and SME Booster Call 2018

For start-ups and SMEs that want to test business ideas, would like to meet key players in the raw materials sector, are looking for financial and/or non-financial support

EIT RawMaterials can help you to create and develop new, innovative business ideas in the raw materials sector – covering every stage from initial ideas to business creation and business growth.

EIT RawMaterials aims to significantly enhance innovation rates in the (mineral and metallic) raw materials sector through any therefore needed Incubator & Business Creation Services, via its Network and Collaboration Activities, as well as by Financial Support. Biotic and non-biotic materials will be valued against their properties as a substitute for metals and minerals.

The scope of our work

EIT RawMaterials focuses on metal and mineral raw materials. Bio-based and polymer materials are covered in view of their potential as substitute material. Other materials are also considered in the context of multi-material product recycling. As a result of our broad membership base, EIT RawMaterials has the flexibility to address critical as well as non-critical raw materials.

EIT RawMaterials Innovation Hubs (CLCs) support relevant business ideas related to the following topics which are the focus of EIT RawMaterials:

1. Exploration and raw materials resources assessment

Technologies and solutions for improved and new mineral exploration. As an example, solutions could include:

• New and improved geological models, better model understanding and techniques for going 3D/4D, going deep, going holistic, etc.
• New instrumentation, methods and technologies for more deployable, reliable, cheaper, faster, deeper and safer mineral exploration, including technologies and services for innovative data acquisition, new data types, big data analysis/handling including assessments and methods to revitalise and utilise existing/historical dataset for exploration and mining.
• Application of new innovations, new geological models and rethinking/re-evaluations of geological settings/prospects to provide new exploration prospects and mining targets.

2. Mining in challenging environments

Technologies and solutions for more efficient, safer and sustainable modern mining. As an example, solutions could include:

• Application of new technologies/services for more efficient production, better safety, better utilisation of equipment and employees for mining. Virtual reality, UAVs/robotics, automation, real-time data that will improve planning, scheduling of operations and delivering better efficiencies and cost savings.
• Disclosure and mining of new areas in earths crust never explored or reached before.
• Innovative services, approaches and products in order to ensure public understanding and awareness about the need for raw materials, exploration and mining, ensure cooperate social responsibility and social license to operate as well as added values of mining including remediation.

3. Increased resource efficiency in mineral and metallurgical processes

Technologies and solutions for resource effective processing and for improved material production. As an example, solutions could include:

• Optimised extraction and production processes for metals and alloys, improving the efficiency of the process, using less energy and water, reducing cost and the production of waste.

4. Recycling and material chain optimisation for End-of-Life products

Technologies and solutions for materials supply from secondary sources and recycling. As an example, solutions could include:

• Solutions for recycling of end-of-life products, extraction from industrial residues, tailings, urban and landfill mining, (e.g. WEEE, batteries, magnets, solar cells etc.).
• Cost efficient and clever collection, dismantling and sorting of waste.

5. Substitution of critical and toxic materials and for optimised performance

New technologies or services that make it possible to substitute or use less critical or toxic materials in key industries. In addition, solutions for an optimised performance of materials and entire products. New approaches and solutions can be developed on an elemental, material, process, product, system, and service level. As an example, solutions could include:

• Substitution of critical and toxic metals in specific energy materials, like Pt in fuel cells, Co in lithium ion batteries, Nd and Dy in Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets.
• Substitution of critical and toxic metals like Co and W in carbides, speciality metals in high strength steels and superalloys, including the design and manufacturing.
• New material systems that contain no or less critical and toxic materials, for instance, for the use in batteries, permanent magnets, solar cells, and thermoelectric and magnetocaloric applications.
• New/optimised materials for additive manufacturing, for instance, in the field of printable electronics.
• New lightweight composites and designs as substitutes for critical materials containing high strength steels and for optimised performance.
• Solutions that integrate new materials into a Circular Economy, for instance, technology and business that enables and builds upon the reuse and recycling of newly developed, high-performance materials.
• New products, systems, and services for an optimised raw materials use, particularly with respect to mobility and energy technologies.

6. Design of products and services for the circular economy

Solutions and business models for the implementation of a circular economy approach. As an example, solutions could include:

• New business models for resource recovery, product Life Extension (repairing, remanufacturing, etc.), product as a service, sharing platforms.

Application

What EIT RawMaterials evaluates

To give you some guidance on what EIT RawMaterials is looking at in order to evaluate and decide if and how to support your project:

First of all, we need to clearly recognise out of our perspective and objectives, that a project fits into our innovation scope and thus does offer potential benefit to our consortium (either as a technology itself or by integrating it with existing business/solutions). In terms of maturity, we (but not exclusively) focus rather on early stage and pre-seed start-ups than on late-stage and mature ones. The possibility or the interest to collaborate with EIT RawMaterials partners, best even in potential or upcoming EIT RawMaterials projects, is another important criterion. And most important: the business idea and/or the business plan, as well as the team itself, has to be convincing in a way, that we can be sure that we with our support definitely help to bring some novel solution successfully to the market, thus becoming a real and (business wise) sustainable innovation!

If you have any questions, please find your country below and contact a Business Development Manager in the respective Innovation Hub (CLC).