Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Project name: Circular raw materiaLs for European Open Strategic autonomy on chips and microEctronics pRoduction
Duration: October 2024 / September 2027
Total budget: 14,072,892.80 Euro
EU Contribution: 9,851,024.87 Euro
Call: I3-2023-INV1
Topic: I3-2023-INV1
Internal contacts
Samuel Nazzareno Monaco – samuel.monaco@afil.it
Carlo Mondani – carlo.mondani@afil.it
Website
Project objectives
The overall objective of CLOSER is to establish a pan-European network of regional stakeholders dedicated to the efficient collection, recycling, and reprocessing of semiconductor-based components, paving the way for a resilient EU supply chain rooted in circular economy principles. By leveraging urban mining approaches and focusing on materials derived from dismissed electronics, solar panels, and electronic industrial waste, the project aims to recover valuable semiconductor raw materials that are scarce in Europe as natural resources but widely embedded in imported products, thereby contributing to the EU’s domestic supply and reducing reliance on external sources.
The CLOSER TRL 7-9 demonstration cases will show how materials and components treated according to the principles of circularity and urban mining, and deriving from the processes belonging to selected Smart Specializations of each participating region can be recovered, re-processed or remanufactured. These activities will generate secondary semiconductor Critical Raw Materials for microelectronics production (such as Gallium, Germanium, Indium, and Silicon) as well as remanufactured components for those European industrial sectors highly dependent on external supply, such as automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, healthcare, and computing.
The role of AFIL
Within the CLOSER project, AFIL actively supports the activities aimed at the holistic promotion of technologies and production processes that incorporate circular semiconducting materials. The Cluster takes part in communication and dissemination initiatives to elevate awareness and acceptance at industrial level. In parallel, AFIL engages in strategic activities to foster synergistic collaborations with pivotal EU initiatives.
AFIL also contributes to the project skills development strategy aimed at developing dedicated training courses, to market analysis and segmentation aimed at identifying potential sectors and regions for green technology deployment, and to the commercial strategy and stakeholder-driven fundraising for exploitation.
Opportunities for AFIL Members
AFIL’s participation in CLOSER creates opportunities for its Members by connecting them to the project’s insights, technologies, and market intelligence. As a matter of fact, they can learn about circular semiconductor recovery, explore new technologies and potential applications in strategic industrial sectors, and identify collaboration and business opportunities. At the same time, they can benefit from increased and stronger connections with key industrial and research stakeholders, supporting innovation and competitiveness in advanced manufacturing.