The DARE2X project is proposing a disruptive approach to decarbonising ammonia (NH3) production: development of sorption-enhanced plasma-catalytic synthesis. NH3 is the chemical produced in the second highest quantities globally and is responsible for 1.8% of global CO2 emissions. Furthermore, its demand is expected to increase drastically in the coming decade through its huge promise as a green fuel. As a result, decarbonisation of NH3 production is an essential goal for decarbonisation of the EU economy by 2050. The timing is vital in starting the push for future production technologies for green NH3, to meet the expected increase in demand. The main challenges for realising European green NH3 production is to transition away from fossil fuel-based, centralised Haber-Bosch facilities, to decentralised, dynamic systems that can be coupled directly to renewable electricity generators at or near the point of use. This does, however, require significant developments. DARE2X will overcome these barriers through the following game-changing solutions: (i) reactors utilising non-thermal plasma to drive NH3 synthesis; (ii) novel, more active catalysts using low-CRM materials, iii) stable and efficient NH3 sorption materials for in-situ NH3 separation. These innovations will be integrated into a single sorption-enhanced plasma-catalytic device that will be validated at TRL4. The economic, environmental and social feasibility will be assessed through LCA, LCC and a social acceptance study. To meet these objectives, DARE2X combines world-leading research institutions and innovative and R&D-performing SMEs specialised in renewable technologies, materials engineering, and technology demonstrations. The novel DARE2X approach has the potential to make decentralised production of green NH3 cost-competitive, providing European self-sufficiency of this vital future fuel, and creating European scientific and innovation excellence that will spawn new companies and create jobs.

Electric vehicles (EV) are expected to play a key role towards a decarbonised transport system and thus contribute to meet EU’s ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the wide adoption of EVs has been hampered by key barriers, particularly the lack of a well distributed infrastructure for fast and widespread charging. The main objective of HEROES is the development and demonstration of a disruptive hybrid high power/high energy stationary storage system for fast charging of EVs (23 min) to be used in medium-size charging stations connected to the LV grid. The system will take advantage of combining state-of-the-art Li-ion capacitor (LiC) with high power and high energy densities, with Li-ion batteries (LiBs) to store high amounts of energy and serve as back-up when the charging demand of EVs surpasses the LiC and grid connection capacity. The combination will bring a higher efficiency and better performance of the system, as well as longer battery life, as the LiC can protect the LiB from accelerated degradation, more energy from battery cells, simpler and cheaper management, and lower overall system cost, all with a strong sustainable drive. The HEROES system will be a key enabler for the widespread fast charging of EVs, cost-effectively, without the need for major investments in the grid. To achieve this overall objective, the project will include research and development activities of key technological enablers such as the LiC cells and modules, a new Battery Management System, a DC/DC converter specifically developed for high input and output voltage ranges, and Energy Management System (EMS). The prototype system will be demonstrated for the fast charging of EVs in operational environment. The consortium includes partners that cover the full value chain of energy storage, placing the consortium in a perfect position to develop scientific and technological breakthroughs as well as seizing novel market opportunities.

The objective of BIORECOVER is the R&D of a new sustainable & safe process, essentially based on biotechnology, for selective extraction of a range of Critical Raw Materials, from relevant unexploited secondary & primary sources: -Rare Earths from Bauxite Residue from Greece (MYTILINEOS) -Magnesium from Mg wastes of low grade minerals and calcination by-products- from Spain (MAGNA) -Platinum Group Metals from flotation tailings from South Africa (UWITS) & PGM slags, dusts and press cake from United Kingdom (JM) To this end, BIORECOVER will be based on the integration of 3 main stages to reach the expected recovery rates (90%), selectivity (95%) & purity (99%) (TRL from 2-3 to 5): (1) Remove the major impurities presents in raw materials sources to achieve the greater availability of the target metals for their recovery. (2) Mobilise these metals through specific and improved microorganisms to get a leachate enriched with the target CRMs. (3) Development of a specific technology for recovering metals with high selectivity & purity that meet the quality requirements for its reuse. Downstream processes will be also studied of the recovered metals for their reuse (brakes pads, oxygen sensors, powder Mg & catalysts). The different stages of the process provide it modular capacity increasing its adaptation flexibility and thus, further market penetration. LCA & LCC and a Decision Making Framework will support these aims. The awareness, trust & acceptance of the society about the importance of raw materials will be addressed by an awareness campaign and public perception studies. The project results will contribute to EU bio-mining knowledge (RMIS) and a communication with other key project will be also set up. To achieve this ambitious project, a multidisciplinary consortium covering the whole value chain (from suppliers to end users) will be involved, being represented 7 member states across EU (ES, DK, FR, LE, PT, SE & UK) and effective international cooperation with ZA

Liberate represents a powerhouse consortium, including three major multinational chemical companies, Evonik (EO), Perstorp (PER), Oxiris (OXI), SMEs (Chimar, Megara, NX Filtration, Condias, Enso, Idener and gate to growth), four internationally regarded research and technology organisations (ECN, Fraunhofer, Leitat and Sintef), and European leading universities (University of Mainz and University of Alicante). LIBERATE will overcome the technical developments, pilot line scale-up and commercial exploitation barriers of the next generation of biorefineries. Highly efficient and selective anodic electrochemical oxidation will be applied to the depolymerisation of lignin and the synthesis of propyladipic acid from cyclohexanol to deliver a range of biosustainable feedstocks for drop-in replacements or for superior product performance. Liberate will deliver a pilot-scale electrochemical plant to demonstrate the commercial opportunities of converting low cost lignin feedstocks in high-value biosustainable chemicals. Liberate will model and physically integrate renewable energy sources to deliver a process that is capable of synthesising chemicals with zero CO2. The renewable energy integration will open up new business models for biorefinery operators to utilise peak renewable energy at discounted rates. Liberate will deliver the following benefits: • An electrochemical depolymerisation of kraft lignin to synthesise vanillin with a 7% yield. • An electrochemical depolymerisation of organoslv lignin to synthesise mixed phenolic derivate oligomers with a yield of > 35%. • An electrochemical oxidation of biosustainable cyclohexanol to synthesise proyl adipic acid with a yield of up to 80%. • A biorefinery process capable of accommodating RES fluctuations without loss in efficiency. • A biorefinery process that exhibits a 95% improvement in the energy efficiency of the process. • A biorefinery process that is capable of producing 29 x times less CO2.