Research

are earth elements (REEs) are typically required in small quantities, but they are essential for producing a wide range of technologically advanced products for electronic, optical, and magnetic applications. At present, the market is primarily supplied with virgin rare earths. Currently, there are no noteworthy recycling methods that could meet the constantly increasing demand for these elements. Therefore, REEaLIGN aims at developing a novel recycling process combining bioleaching, biosorption, and bioaccumulation, which enables a sustainable, ecofriendly recovery of REEs from electronic wastes. This 3-step Bioleaching-Biosorption-Bioaccumulation-process consist of the initial bioleaching utilizing metal extracting microorganisms to produce the metal extract including REEs which will be added to a lignin-based hydrogel in a batch process in which metals such as iron, copper, aluminum etc. Will be adsorbed, resulting in a metal extract suitable for bioaccumulation in which REEs will be accumulated in E-Coli for their recovery. Bioleaching, bioaccumulation and biosorption are state-of-the-art methods that not only have the potential to solve environmental challenges such as depletion of natural resources. They are also efficient and economically feasible, and sustainable. The overall combination of lignin-hydrogels as pretreatment to bioaccumulation for Rare Earth Recovery in this project is designed to be a process that neither needs toxic or harmful starting materials nor produce any toxic, harmful or problematic waste at the end of the recycling process.

The applicants are BOKU University, the Austrian Compost and Biogas Association and the research institute AEE Intec. The consortium intends to participate in the IEA Bioenergy Task 37 "Energy from Biogas" activity period 2025 - 2027. As part of a network of international experts, key issues for the implementation and dissemination of biogas production from by-products and waste are to be agreed and correspondingly prepared information disseminated to the affected Austrian users, companies, planners, authorities, associations, specialist institutions, etc. in the form of information brochures, success stories, technical studies, internet websites, workshops and conferences. In the coming triennium, the focus will be on the following topics: Co-benefits of biogas besides the provision of energy, the use of digestate and the corresponding international framework conditions, the monitoring of microbial cultures in biogas plants, the economic efficiency of biogas plants and greenhouse gas abatement costs. In Task 37, the topics are examined and discussed from different regional and national perspectives. A special situation in this triennium is that Dr. Bernhard Drosg from BOKU University was elected as international task leader for the coming period and will therefore take over the management of the entire task in addition to the Austrian consortium management.

Healthy soil with a sufficient water balance forms the basis of our food supply and is an important part of our economy. Depleted soils, persistent climate stress and natural disasters require effective countermeasures. In the context of soil health, the circular economy and the EU Green Deal, sheep's wool represents a valuable, previously neglected resource for soil improvement. A population of around 84 million sheep was identified in the European Union in 2018. As a by-product around 200,000 tons of sheep's wool (1.5-3 kg per sheep per year) are obtained. As there has been a lack of sales markets it is mainly burned or disposed of in landfill, thus enhancing the climate problem. For some years now, however, this valuable resource has been used again to some extent, pressed into pellets and can therefore be used as a fertilizer with many benefits. Additionally, to the valuable ingredients such as 50% carbon, 15% nitrogen, 5% sulphur and further micronutrients, uncleaned sheep's wool contains a microbiome that includes bio-stimulants which promote plant growth and nutrient uptake. Soil and sheep's wool microorganisms can also improve biodiversity which has a positive effect on soil health. This is based on the application of sheep's wool pellets as fertilizer and on the upcycling of renewable raw materials. Studies have shown that sheep's wool significantly increases vegetable yields and improves soil health and quality. However, there is still a need to develop suitable concepts and scientific expertise in order to fully exploit the ecological and agronomic benefits of this fertilizer in the future. The use of sheep's wool pellets in combination with super absorbent polymers (SAP) for water storage and targeted nutrient release is a novel and innovative solution. Biodegradable, water-absorbent polymers support the targeted release of nutrients and drastically increase the water storage capacity. These intelligent systems of bioactive fertilizers based on natural raw materials offer a revolutionary opportunity to promote sustainable soil health and soil management. Existing technologies are used to create material compounds that match the structural properties for targeted nutrient release and water retention in soil management. In this project two company partners - Ecolets and Green Legancy - are working together with scientific institutions - BOKU and TU Graz. The aim is to demonstrate how the combination of sheep's wool and biopolymers can be used to create a high-quality soil conditioner which, in harmony with the soil and plant microbiome, offers an innovative solution for sustainable agriculture, where experience and tradition meet hi-tech. This consortium enables comprehensive scientific support in the development process as well as a practical exchange of knowledge in the various initial applications, right through to the necessary expertise prior to market maturity.