Sustainable extraction and sustainable processing of strategic metals (LiCuPlus)

The LiCuPlus project addresses key challenges in raw material supply: declining ore grades, complex lithium brines, and increasing environmental requirements. Its objective is to develop and demonstrate innovative technologies for the sustainable extraction, processing, and refining of copper, lithium, and by-metals along the entire value chain.

The coordinator, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, leads an international consortium of industry and research partners in Europe and Chile. Steinbeis Europa Zentrum plays a key role in the exploitation of the project results to prepare their market uptake and supports the coordinator in the project’s financial and administrative management.

LiCuPlus demonstrates integrated, energy- and resource-efficient processes up to TRL 6–7, including low-CO₂ metallurgy and low-water lithium extraction. These technologies enable higher recovery rates, reduce emissions, and promote the circular economy.

The impact lies in a resilient, sustainable raw material supply for Europe: reduced environmental burdens, new industrial value creation, and a strengthened EU-Chile partnership for critical raw materials.

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum supports the project as a partner in:

• Exploitation of the project results
• Prepare their market uptake
• Financial and administrative project management

Further information:

• Project acronym: LiCuPlus
• Funding programme: European Commission, Horizon Europe
• Total project budget for all partners: €7,499,941.25
• Participating countries: Belgium, Chile, Germany, Greece
• Project duration: 06/2026 – 05/2030