3R - Recykle, Reuse, Reduce

In the 3R project Danish IRD and CriMaRec assisted by SDU will jointly develop and scale up an efficient and sustainable process to recycle platinum-group metals (PGMs), mainly platinum and iridium, with the aim of establishing a production alternative to the costly, energy-intensive and pollutive conventional processes. IRD is specialised in manufacturing membrane–electrode assemblies (MEAs) as key components of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells and electrolyser cells (PEMFC&EC), and CriMaRec is developing an alternative method for recovering PGMs from various scrap materials, especially autocatalysts and MEAs. The expected outcome is that IRD can develop and scale up its production of MEAs containing recycled PGMs supplied by CriMaRec from existing scrap resources, which ensures the renewable industry 1) PGM self-sufficiency and 2) possibility for expansion through PGM recycling from a fossil-fuel-based industry. This will decrease the dependence on primary PGM mining, secure a continuous supply of the critical raw materials, reduce MEA cost, promote deployment of PEMFC&EC, and improve the penetration of the renewable energy, which are aspects closely aligned with the EUDP strategy and UN Sustainable Development Goals.