GeMMe@ULiege

What GeMMe@ULiege does

GeMMe (Georesources, Mineral Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy) is a 24-person academic research group embedded within the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Université de Liège in Belgium. The group operates across four research pillars — Minerals & Metals Intelligence, Raw Materials Sensing & Sorting, Mineral Processing & Recycling, and Extractive Metallurgy — and is responsible for delivering the EU's industrial capacity in responsible sourcing and circular economy solutions for critical raw materials.

GeMMe develops proprietary hydrometallurgical, biohydrometallurgical, and pyrometallurgical processes for recovering metals from primary ores and secondary (urban mine) sources. Its flagship technologies include REEFINE, a four-stage low-temperature (<80°C) process for recycling rare earth elements from end-of-life permanent magnets with >95% REE recovery and 98% magnet recovery at a 5 kg/day pilot scale; BIOLIX, a bio-hydrometallurgical process for waste electrical and electronic equipment; NOVA, a treatment process for post-shredder low-grade PCBAs recovering Au, Ag, Pd, Sn, and Cu; and PICKIT, a LIBS-based sorting system operating at up to 5 pieces per second on a 1m belt. The group's Hydrometallurgy & Biometallurgy Lab includes a semi-automated three-floor pilot plant with 200L reactors, autoclaves rated to 60 bar and 250°C, solvent extraction and electrolysis units, and bioleaching fermenters — an unusual breadth of capital infrastructure for an academic unit.

GeMMe does not sell commercial products. Its operating model is structured around EU research project funding (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Interreg, Walloon Region grants) augmented by industrial consulting and process licensing. Active major awards include PERMANET (€16M), RESiLEX (€12.5M), PEACOC (€11.2M), MAGELLAN (€7.5M), UniGR-CIRKLA (€6.57M), and VALHALLA (€3.9M). Industrial partners span mining majors (Dundee Precious Metals, Aurubis, Arcelor-Mittal, Solvay), recyclers (Comet Group), OEMs (Toyota), and chemicals (Prayon). The group also delivers the Erasmus Mundus EMerald and AMIR Master's programmes and runs PhD and lifelong-learning education in geometallurgy and recycling.

Name

GeMMe@ULiege

Legal name

Université de Liège

Website

https://gemme.uliege.be

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GeMMe is a 24-person academic research group at the University of Liège developing hydrometallurgical, biohydrometallurgical, and sensor-based sorting technologies for recycling critical raw materials from e-waste, end-of-life vehicles, and industrial residues, funded primarily through EU research grants and serving mining and metallurgical industrial partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mineral Processing Research and Education

NAICS

Support Activities for Mining (2131), Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114)

SIC

Metal Mining (1000)

akta.pro primary industry

Contract Crushing, Screening & Materials Handling (In-Pit/ROM, Conveying, Stockpiling) (IMAKAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mine Surveying & Geospatial Services (Survey, Drone/LiDAR, GIS, Grade Control) (IMAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Mineral processing research
• Extractive metallurgy
• Rare earth recycling
• Hydrometallurgy services
• Critical raw materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Liège

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. EU Research Project Funding: GeMMe generates revenue through participation in EU-funded research projects including Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Interreg, and regional funding programs. Projects like RESiLEX (€12.5M), VALHALLA (€3.9M), MAGELLAN (€7.5M), PERMANET (€16M), PEACOC (€11.2M), and UniGR-CIRKLA (€6.57M) provide research funding.
2. Academic Research Grants: Funding from national and regional research bodies including Walloon Region, ERA-MIN, and EIT Raw Materials for developing sustainable metallurgical processes and recycling technologies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GeMMe (Georesources, Mineral Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy) is an academic research group at Université de Liège that develops processes and technologies for responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials, including mineral processing, metal recycling from primary ores and urban mines, and extractive metallurgy. The group operates specialized laboratory facilities (particle analysis, automated mineralogy, flotation, hydrometallurgy/biometallurgy), educational programmes (EMerald and AMIR Master's, PhD programmes), and process development consulting for industrial partners. Their work spans four research areas: Minerals & Metals Intelligence, Raw Materials Sensing & Sorting, Mineral Processing & Recycling, and Extractive Metallurgy.

Product overview

GeMMe (Georesources, Mineral Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy) is an academic research group at Université de Liège focused on responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials. The group operates as a unified research platform offering specialized laboratory facilities (particle analysis, automated mineralogy, analytical chemistry, flotation, hydrometallurgy/biometallurgy), educational programs (EMerald and AMIR Master's, PhD education), and advanced technologies (REEFine for rare earth recycling, NOVA for PCB recycling). Their work spans four core research areas: Minerals & Metals Intelligence, Raw Materials Sensing & Sorting, Mineral Processing & Recycling, and Extractive Metallurgy. The group does not offer commercial products but rather provides research capabilities, education, and technology development for the raw materials industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EMerald Master Programme Erasmus Mundus and EIT-labelled Master's programme in Georesources Engineering coordinated by Uliège, targeting graduate students seeking advanced education in mineral engineering and resource processing.
• AMIR Master Programme Erasmus Mundus programme for Advanced Materials Innovative Recycling, EIT labelled, targeting graduate students interested in materials recycling and circular economy.
• MSc in Geological and Mining Engineering Uliège Master programme combining engineering techniques with sciences for the natural environment, serving graduate students in geological and mining engineering.
• PhD & Lifelong Learning Education PhD programmes, summer schools, and lifelong learning modules including R2R-GEOMET (geometallurgy short course with EIT Raw Materials funding), ATHY, and RAWMATCOP, serving PhD candidates and industry professionals seeking continuing education in sustainable resource management.
• Industrial Consulting and Process Development Consulting and process development services for mining and metallurgical companies, including flotation optimization and auditing (e.g., for Aurubis-Bulgaria copper slag), mining process consulting (e.g., for Dundee Precious Metals operations in Bulgaria), and recycling technology implementation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% magnet recovery rate from end-of-life electric vehicle rotors
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ISMC (Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Lead coordinator of the €12.5M RESiLEX Horizon Europe project focused on improving resilience and sustainability of the silicon value chain in Europe with 21 partners from 8 European countries
• TARANTULA ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU H2020 project for recovery of critical metals (W, Nb, Ta) from mining and electronic waste. 16 partner consortium. Budget: €6.9M (2019-2023). ULiège involved in Work Package 3 for pre-treatment including electrodynamic fragmentation and biomimetic flotation.
• SolvaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PERMANET €16M Horizon project leading Hub 2 on demonstrating long- and short-loop circular REE permanent magnet recycling
• Tecnalia Research and InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead coordinator of PEACOC €11.2M H2020 project for precious metals recovery. ULiège upscaling NOVA process for PCB recycling and leading WP3 on concentration stage optimization.
• Comet GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner for REEFINE project developing permanent magnet dismantling technology and hydrometallurgical processing. Comet operates state-of-the-art ELV recycling facilities in Belgium.
• ToyotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner providing Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid vehicles for REEFINE project's industrial trial on permanent magnet recycling from electric vehicle rotors
• OranocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject coordinator of MAGELLAN €7.5M EU project for rare earth permanent magnet value chain. Orano recently inaugurated pilot line at CEA facilities for REE PM recycling.
• CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench research partner in MAGELLAN project hosting pilot facilities for REE permanent magnet manufacturing and hosting MAGELLAN 4th General Assembly
• Université de LorrainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in UniGR-CIRKLA €6.57M Interreg project for circular economy of metals and materials across the Greater Region
• Université du LuxembourgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in UniGR-CIRKLA project bringing together 7 universities to facilitate transition to circular economy for metals and materials
• Luleå University of Technology (LTU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in R2R-GEOMET short course on geometallurgy, coordinated by Prof. Eric Pirard with EIT Raw Materials funding
• Outotec OyjminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in R2R-GEOMET project contributing to geometallurgy education for industry professionals and students
• HydrométalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PYROTECNIC €16M project for enhancing Wallonia's pyrometallurgy expertise and plasma furnace technology
• CRM GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead coordinator of REMADE €15M Walloon Region project for valorizing recycled metals in additive manufacturing, with 18 partners including ULiège GeMMe
• Université de Liège - GREEnMatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating research entity within ULiège for RESiLEX and VALHALLA projects on silicon value chain and perovskite solar cell recycling
• Freiberg University of Mining and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject coordinator of TIBERIUM Horizon Europe project for titanium and beryllium supply chains in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
• D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in TIBERIUM project studying titanium and beryllium resources in Central Asia
• Ulba Metallurgical PlantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner in TIBERIUM project for developing sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials
• Dundee Precious MetalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing industrial collaboration with 30+ years of background. GeMMe has conducted flotation optimization work for operations in Bulgaria (Krumovgrad, Assarel-Medet)
• AurubiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner for copper slag flotation auditing at Aurubis-Bulgaria operations
• Arcelor-MittalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial collaboration in extractive metallurgy with strong background relationship
• PrayonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner testing Fe-bearing residue from REEFINE process as precursor for LFP battery cathode active material production
• GREEnMatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerULiège research group collaborating on RESiLEX project for silicon and silver recycling from solar panels

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Umicore: Global materials technology and recycling major with substantial REE, precious metals, and battery materials recycling operations — a broad incumbent operating in adjacent and overlapping recycling domains where GeMMe's processes could be licensed or competed against.
• Solvay: Belgian chemical major with rare earth and specialty materials operations, including PERMANET Hub 2 partnership with GeMMe — represents both an industrial partner and a broad incumbent that may ultimately commercialize REE recycling IP at scale.
• Aurubis: European copper recycling and smelting major — both an industrial partner to GeMMe (copper slag flotation auditing) and a broad incumbent operating at industrial scale in the same value chains GeMMe researches.

Direct peers

• BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières): French geological survey with mineral processing and recycling research activities, including critical raw materials — directly comparable to GeMMe as a publicly-funded geoscience and resource-processing research institution with industrial partnerships.
• TU Bergakademie Freiberg: German mining and metallurgy university with strong expertise in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, and recycling — directly comparable to GeMMe in research focus and an active GeMMe consortium partner (TIBERIUM project).
• KU Leuven: Belgian university with active circular economy, materials recycling, and sustainable metallurgy research groups — a domestic academic peer to GeMMe with overlapping EU project participation and industrial partnerships.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS): German applied-research institute with extensive hydrometallurgy, recycling, and mineral processing capabilities — directly comparable to GeMMe as a publicly-funded research lab translating mining/metallurgy research into industrial pilots, including REE and critical raw materials work.
• Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF): German Helmholtz research institute focused on mineral resources, including REE and critical raw materials recovery — a close academic peer to GeMMe working on hydrometallurgical and bioleaching process development with strong EU project portfolios.

Emerging players

• Cyclic Materials: Canadian REE recycling startup commercializing hydrometallurgical recovery of rare earths from end-of-life magnets and motors — overlapping with GeMMe's REEFINE process in technology approach and target value chain.
• HyProMag (Mkango Resources): UK-based REE magnet recycling company developing hydrogen-based short-loop magnet-to-magnet recycling — competes with GeMMe's REEFINE approach for industrial partner relationships and downstream magnet supply.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uliegegemme

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GeMMe@ULiege