SALEMA

Development of an alternative source of Critical Raw Materials (CRM) on Aluminium Alloys for electrical vehicles.

The SALEMA project, coordinated by Eurecat, proposes a circular economy model using scrap metal as an alternative source of CRM and the substitution of them for commonly available alloying elements. The project is addressing in a coordinated and cooperative manner the key challenges in the different levels of the value chain:

• Improving scrap classification and sorting systems to turn scrap into a valuable raw material
• Demonstrating the feasibility to substitute CRMs in alloying systems
• Developing recycled aluminium alloys with improved mechanical performance
• Optimizing High Pressure Die Casting, sheet metal Stamping and Extrusion processes in a timely and cost-efficient manner in order to ensure the adoption of the developed alloys.

Eurecat participates in the project through the Metallic and Ceramic Materials Unit, the Waste, Energy and Environmental Impact Unit (WEEI) and the Consultancy Unit.

The project will deliver 4 industrial pilots with the objective to validate the new developed AI alloys with 5 car-part demonstrations in 5 industrial case studies, which guarantees a prompt industrial deployment and take up.

SALEMA counts with the participation of a consortium formed by 16 partners from 6 European countries, which is working to prove that the presented measures are competitive, technically feasible and contribute towards circular economy strategies and sustainability goals.