Overview

The devices and services used in every day life largely depend on the specific functionality of technology metals: platinum group metals in catalysts, precious metals in electronics, indium in displays, as well as in photovoltaics together with gallium, selenium or tellurium; and cobalt and lithium in batteries. In future these devices and the metals will become more important as they contribute to renewable energy generation and energy storage, clean air and more efficient production processes among others.

The other side of the coin is that these metals are not abundant, leading to intense discussions about metal scarcity: “when are we running out?” and “What can be done to prevent this?”. Recycling of metals from end of life devices is an important contributor to the future metal supply. The opportunities and challenges in recovering technology metals from electronics, catalysts, batteries and PV applications will be discussed from a holistic, life cycle perspective. Besides the technical factors also other aspects are taken into account, in the context of the People - Planet - Profit perspectives for sustainable development.

 

Key Questions

 

Handouts

 

Preparatory Readings

 

Towards a sustainable energy future - closing the loop for technology metals

12:00-01:00PM Monday, February 22, 2010
Leader: Christina Meskers
Location: Building E51-145