Highlights

• Two researchers develop an innovative method to efficiently recover rare earth elements from electronic waste, reducing energy and chemical requirements.
• Founders of startup Reecover aim to transform e-waste into a valuable resource and reduce dependence on external material suppliers.
• Spark Award 2024 recognizes the technology’s potential to improve recycling efficiency and minimize environmental impact.

Marie Amélie Perrin and Victor Mougel have developed a groundbreaking method for efficiently recovering rare earth elements from electronic waste, earning them the prestigious Spark Award 2024 for the most promising invention of the year. Rare earth elements are vital for modern electronics, such as flat screens and hard drives, and play a critical role in the energy transition, especially in wind farm generators. However, recycling these elements has been challenging due to their chemical similarity, requiring intensive energy and chemical processes.

The recent event was covered by  ETH Zurich (opens in a new tab), a public research university in Zurich, Switzerland.

A Game-Changing Technology

Perrin, an ETH Zurich doctoral graduate, and Mougel devised a method that enables the efficient separation of rare earth elements, significantly reducing energy and chemical requirements. Their innovation not only promises to transform e-waste into a valuable resource but also reduces dependence on external suppliers for these critical materials. The invention’s market potential was highlighted by the Spark Award jury, which emphasized its potential to improve recycling efficiency and lessen environmental impact.

To commercialize the technology, Perrin and Mougel founded a start-up called Reecover, short for "Rare Elements Recovery." With her doctoral studies recently completed, Perrin now plans to focus on expanding the start-up and bringing the technology to market.

Presented at ETH Industry Day

The Spark Award was presented during ETH Zurich’s Industry Day, held at the Zurich Convention Center as part of Open-i, the successor to the NZZ Connect Swiss Innovation Forum. This year’s event featured 80 talks, 90 exhibition stands, and over 1,000 participants, showcasing cutting-edge research and innovation. The success of Industry Day reflects growing global interest in sustainable technologies like Perrin and Mougel’s rare earth recycling solution.

This innovation marks a step forward in tackling electronic waste challenges and securing sustainable access to critical resources. Rare Earth Exchanges is planning on reaching out to the two inventors to learn more.