Summary
Project name (EN): Biotechnological Innovations for Sustainable Flat Panel Displays Recycling
Project acronym:
BioPrep
Project ID:
DRP0401069
Project start date: 2024-09-01
Project end date: 2025-08-31
Project status:
closed
Total budget/expenditure:
EUR 61 460.00
Total EU funding (amount):
EUR 49 168.00
Total EU funding (co-financing rate):
80.00%
Co-financing sources:
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Deliverables:
- Report on state-of-the-art
- Published review article
- Short communication
- Experimental design report
- Dissemination strategy
- Project work plan
- Report on consortium
- Project management structure
- Poster on each partner
- Project budget
- Report of analysis of funding opportunities and applications
- A road map of future steps
Contribution to wider strategies and policies:
- EuropeanGreenDeal BioPrep project contributes to the European Green Deal by developing innovative solutions for sustainable hazardous waste management. By prioritizing metal recovery and exploring new ways to manage residues, BioPrep promotes resource efficiency, minimizes waste generation, and safeguards human health and the environment. These objectives align with the Green Deal's goal of achieving a sustainable, climate-neutral economy through sustainable resource use and reducing negative environmental impacts. Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act is part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan - the CRM list contains 30 raw materials defined as materials with a high risk of supply to EU and a significant impact on the development of strategic sectors. The list includes also indium – an element dispersed in complex electronic components occurring in the low concentration. The indium as a metal is vital to produce energy-efficient technologies, but its availability is at risk due to its limited global supply. Recycling indium from end-of-life products not only helps to secure its supply but also minimizes waste generation and reduces the carbon footprint. Furthermore, by recycling indium, the EU can reduce its dependence on imports from other countries and create a more circular economy where resources are used more efficiently and waste is minimized. Through the main project, we aim to address this challenge by developing an innovative and effective solution for the recovery of indium and other metals from spent displays, using biotechnological methods that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable. By doing so, we hope to ensure the availability of this critical metal in the EU while reducing the environmental impact associated with its extraction and production.
- Other The 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan was designed to support the European Union's transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy, where resources are used more efficiently, waste is minimized, and environmental impact is reduced. Within this context, the BioPrep project represents a significant step forward in achieving these goals by developing innovative and effective solutions for the recovery of valuable metals from electronic waste, such as indium and tin. By doing so, the project promotes resource efficiency and the sustainable use of resources, which are central principles of the circular economy. Additionally, main project developed during BioPrep also addresses the issue of waste management by finding new ways to manage the residues generated during the recovery process, such as waste glass. This approach aligns with the circular economy's principles of waste reduction and promotes a more sustainable approach to resource management, while minimizing the negative environmental impacts associated with traditional mining and disposal methods. In addition, the implementation of the main project will also create a platform to increase environmental awareness of local communities in the Danube region regarding circular economy principles. The project aims to raise awareness of sustainable resource use and waste reduction at all stages of the product lifecycle, from product design and raw material acquisition to processing, production, consumption, waste collection, and waste management. Such a circular economy approach is inextricably linked to the development of innovation and the creation of new business models, ultimately contributing to increasing the competitiveness of the economy.
- Other Eco-Design Policy - The European Union has placed significant emphasis on the adoption of eco-design policies to promote sustainable development and reduce the environmental impact of products. The main project's results align with this policy direction by promoting sustainable design practices and material efficiency in the production of electronic displays, which are subject to Ecodesign and energy labeling regulations. The project's guidelines for designing displays that are easily disassembled and recycled through bioleaching represent a significant contribution to the EU's goal of increasing materials recovery and reducing waste generation. Furthermore, investigating the possibility of using residues from the indium leaching process for the production of geopolymers or glass exemplifies the project's commitment to the circular economy approach advocated by the EU. These findings demonstrate the project's significant contribution to achieving a sustainable future by minimizing the environmental impact of waste displays and promoting responsible resource management practices, which are vital in the context of the EU's eco-design policy. Additionally, eco-design can also help to ensure the safe and responsible management of biowaste and hazardous materials generated during the bioleaching process, contributing to a more circular and sustainable economy.
- EUStrategyDanubeRegion The BioPrep project aligns with the EUSDR strategy in Priority Area (PA) 7 by fostering collaboration among universities, research organizations, and enterprises. It aims to elevate excellence, promote research, and drive innovation. A significant impact on the EUSDR will be the reinforcement of regional research and educational cooperation, generating innovative biotechnology solutions for recycling waste displays. This initiative not only strengthens partnerships but also enhances scientific publications in the Danube region. BioPrep tackles the challenge of developing green technology for recycling FPD waste, contributing to strategic environmental protection aligned with PA 5. The project will develop a strategy to manage environmental risk formed by e-waste landfilling and suggest innovative solution to use it as new resource of critical metals. Additionally, the project aligns with PA 8, fostering transnational cooperation with universities, businesses, and public sectors. By specializing in biotechnological research and development, BioPrep contributes to practical applications, elevating the Danube region's capabilities. The involvement of SMEs in the project enhances their internationalization and language skills, particularly addressing cooperation challenges in post-communist countries. SMEs will benefit from tailored, high-quality training provided by universities. The primary project objectives also align with PA 9, emphasizing investments in human capital in the Danube region. The application of environmental biotechnology for climate change mitigation not only opens doors for small companies but also reduces transportation needs and carbon footprints. It enables individuals to work in proximity to their homes, potentially curbing the brain drain from distant and rural areas.
Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy:
EUSDR
