CLOSER stands for Circular raw materials for European open strategic autonomy on chips and microelectronics production, and is an I3 project that aims to establish a European closed loop for semiconductors, organising the ecosystem for Critical Raw Materials from e-waste, back into sustainable chips and microelectronics. 32 partners from 8 European countries act together in building and scale up a European circular supply chain for semiconductors.
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Project scope
Four areas are the main focus:
1. Techniques in collection, extraction, purification, revamping, and reclaiming for sustainable e-waste processing.
2. Boosting EU semiconductors production for open strategic autonomy.
3. Promoting circularity in photovoltaics for sustainable energy solutions.
4. Advancing digitisation to support circular value chains and the digital product passport.
The official Kick-off of the project took place on October 17 2024, and the full project will run for 36 months.
A unique European I3 project
CLOSER is a one-of-a-kind European I3 project that bridges the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Chips Act, with an end-technology readiness level of 7 to 9 (TRL 7-9) out of 9. The project being a cross-regional, joint investment, in a portfolio of 14 pilot investments. Each of these pilots has an individual business model and each of these investments contributes to the holistic scale-up of the EU supply chain for circular chips. This benefits both EU-level and the local level in the participation regions.
Contact information
Mrs. Francesca Nanni, scientific project coordinator (TOR Vergata University)
Mr. Luca Polidori, circularity project coordinator (Holland Circular Hotspot)
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CLOSER is 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 European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
