Safety and responsibility for raw materials
Researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon are involved in the REPTiS research project. This aims to achieve a more responsible use of titanium and to contribute to securing Europe's supply of raw materials. Titanium is one of the “critical raw materials” in the EU, i.e. one of the most economically important raw materials with a high risk in terms of security of supply. To address this, Hereon receives around 800,000 euros in funding from the EU's HORIZON EUROPE framework program for research and innovation.
At the kick-off in France representatives of all involved partners are delighted with the start of the project. Photo: EPMA
REPTiS is the abbreviation for Responsible Extraction and Processing of Titanium and other Primary Raw Materials for Sourcing EU Industrial Value Chains and Strategic Sectors. Titanium, a critical raw material, is mainly used in lightweight construction in the aerospace, medical technology and chemical industries. Alloying elements such as aluminum, vanadium or molybdenum are often added to adjust the mechanical properties. One advantage is its low density, which is about half that of steel. A second advantage is that the material is resistant to corrosion and very biocom-patible, making it ideal for use in implants. One disadvantage compared to steel is the price. Re-ducing costs - this is possible with the production of powders, as REPTiS is pursuing.
The EU industry's dependence on critical raw materials and the associated process chains may jeopardize security of supply and thus important branches of industry and key technologies. Be-cause the material is so important, the EU is striving to become less dependent on suppliers out-side Europe in its supply chains. To this end, it concluded strategic partnerships at the beginning of the decade with countries rich in raw materials such as Canada and Ukraine. REPTiS is now a practical implementation of this strategy: building an economy that is innovation-based and competitive, while being as sustainable as possible, the consortia should involve the raw materi-als industry from at least one of the partner countries and raw materials users from the EU. The technology should be demonstrated with the resources of the partner country.
Responsibility for critical raw materials
In addition to metallic titanium, various oxides and other compounds are also processed so that they can be used commercially. In REPTiS, this process is to be optimized with assistance of re-searchers at Hereon and tested in terms of economy and ecology. To this end, the powder itself, as well as components produced from it in the project, will be characterized and critically exam-ined with regard to the project objectives. Hereon researchers will lead the review and evaluation.
A good reason for research
“Titanium is of great economic importance. Due to the current sources of supply, there is a risk of undersupply,” says Dr Thomas Ebel from the Hereon Institute of Metallic Biomaterials. His colleague Dr Nikolai Kashaev from the Hereon Institute of Material and Process Design adds: “The supply disruptions can become absolutely alarming because there are practically no good substitutes.” As project managers at Hereon, Ebel and Kashaev therefore see an importance that goes far beyond Germany.
The project is coordinated by the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA). The total funding for the four-year project will amount to around 7.3 million Euros. 413,000 and 395,000 Euros respectively will go to the two Hereon institutes.
Further Information
Contact
Head of Department
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon I Institute of Metallic Biomaterials
Phone: +49 (0)4152 87-1944
Head of Department
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon I Institute of Material and Process Design
Phone: +49 (0)4152 87-2536
Science Editor
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon I Communication and Media
Phone: +49 (0)4152 87-1648