NORMIND: NOrgewian Resources for MINimum Impact MINeral INdustry

NORMIND is a dissemination and networking effort that complements and expands the scope of the H2020 project AlSiCal by reaching and connecting Norwegian actors to AlSiCal´s scientific, technological and business constellation. "AlSiCal: Towards sustainable mineral and metal industry: ZERO Bauxite Residue and ZERO CO2 from coproduction of Alumina, Silica and precipitated Calcium carbonate" (GA nr. 820911) is an ambitious research and innovation project to make the mineral and metal industry more sustainable and environmentally sound. The core of the project is the already patented and ground-breaking AlSiCal technology. This technology enables the sustainable production of alumina, silica and precipitated calcium carbonate in one single process by using currently unexploited resources whilst generating ZERO Bauxite Residue and ZERO carbon dioxide (CO2) from production. In parallel, the NORMIND project will expand impact and industrial involvement in Norway by exploring alternative applications of the AlSiCal technology (and its spin-off technological advances) into new industrial areas that cannot be explored within the scope of AlSiCal. Despite the limitations of the covid pandemic, the project has significantly expanded the scope of AlSiCal technology. This includes positioning to exploit new sources of alumina production (industrial and natural) and further downstream products, with corresponding rounds of discussions with national and international industry and R&D actors. In addition, opportunities for the subsequent upscaling of the technology (or its related technological advances) in Norway are being explored. NORMIND will convey this new network and knowledge interchange into key arenas in the field, like Innovation Hub for European Aluminium, the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) and the European Consortium EIT Raw Materials.

NORMIND has resulted to be an very positive resource to promote visibility of R&D and new business opportunities in the field of sustainable - raw and circular - materials, specially those critical for the green transition. Multiple initiatives have been funded by this project, both in the public arena and through direct dissemination and communication activities with key stakeholders. The project sustained popular science publications, active participation in specialized fora and the initial dialogues to identify relevant actors and establish collaboration - national and international - in numerous innovative initiatives, e.g. for sustainable exploitation of aluminium-rich ores, rare earths minerals and diverse silicates and oxides deposits occurring in Norway and worldwide.

NORMIND is a dissemination and networking effort that complements and expands the scope of the H2020 project AlSiCal by reaching and connecting Norwegian actors to AlSiCal´s scientific, technological and business constellation. “AlSiCal: Towards sustainable mineral and metal industry: ZERO Bauxite Residue and ZERO CO2 from coproduction of Alumina, Silica and precipitated Calcium carbonate by the Aranda-Mastin technology” (GA nr. 820911) is an ambitious research and innovation project to make the mineral and metal industry more sustainable and environmentally sound. The core of the project is the already patented and ground-breaking Aranda-Mastin (AM) technology. This technology enables the sustainable production of alumina, silica and precipitated calcium carbonate in one single process by using currently unexploited resources whilst generating ZERO Bauxite Residue and ZERO carbon dioxide (CO2) from production. The NORMIND project will expand its impact and industrial involvement in Norway, by exploring alternative applications of the Aranda-Mastin technology (and its spin-off technological advances) into new industrial areas that cannot be explored within the scope of AlSiCal. Identification of potential new sources for the AM technology (or variations of it) among industrial waste or accessible new minerals is also part of the project goals. In addition, opportunities for the subsequent upscaling of the technology (or its related technological advances) in Norway will be explored. The industrial targets include as well companies of interest for future up-scaling of the technology/ies, including where possible engineering, equipment and infrastructure providers at relevant locations. Finally NORMIND will serve as well to convey this new network and knowledge interchange into the European Consortium EIT Raw Materials.