Technologies for innovative processing of raw materials (IA)
Horizon Europe · Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space · HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16
Innovation projects piloting processing and refining technologies in the EU to recover more critical raw materials from ores and mining waste.
What is this call about?
The topic funds innovation actions that build and test EU-based pilot facilities for processing and refining raw materials, recovering more critical raw materials from low-grade ores and mining waste.
What does this call fund?
Scope
The topic funds the development and validation or demonstration of a pilot-scale facility located in the EU that integrates processing and refining technologies. The aim is to recover more raw materials from low-grade and/or complex ores and from extractive waste, while cutting waste, water and air pollution, improving energy efficiency and reducing land and sea-use change and habitat loss. Actions should target minerals and metals, particularly critical raw materials, and may also reduce toxic elements in the resulting materials, with proper management of the hazardous substances removed.
What actions should do
- Offer solutions flexible enough for variable ore grades and waste streams, supported by robust process control.
- Develop intelligent production systems that minimise losses in waste-rock separation and reduce water use.
- Facilitate market uptake through industry- and user-driven multidisciplinary consortia covering the value chain, and consider standardisation.
- Analyse financing options for exploiting and replicating the business model.
- Cluster with other relevant projects through a dedicated work package or task.
Expected outcomes
- Higher recovery rates of valuable and critical raw materials.
- Better material, water, energy and cost efficiency in minerals processing and metallurgy.
- Improved health, safety and environmental performance across the life cycle.
Further conditions
Recycling of end-of-life products is excluded. EU-based industry and users of recovered secondary raw materials should play a prominent role. Proposals should include a business case and exploitation strategy. International cooperation is encouraged with countries that have Strategic Partnerships on raw materials with the EU, especially Ukraine. Activities are expected to start at TRL 5 and reach TRL 7.
What are the key facts?
- Topic budget
- €49,000,000
- Minimum amount per project
- €10,000,000
- Maximum amount per project
- €12,500,000
- Call code
- HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16
- Programme
- Horizon Europe
- Expected number of projects
- 4
Who can apply for this call?
- The pilot-scale facility is to be located in the EU.
- Recycling of end-of-life products is excluded from the topic.
Check your eligibility and how your project fits
In your free account, we check the eligibility conditions against the call documents for your organisation and assess how well your project fits this call.
When is the deadline?
2 February 2027 (89 days)
2 February 2027 (single-stage submission).
Interested in this call? Summary written with AI from the official call documents. Details can differ, so check the official call page before you apply. Read the official call documents before you decide. The official text is always binding.
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the official call documents. Official call page Last updated 6 October 2026.