E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the EU, as well as a significant secondary source of valuable and scarce metals. WEEE-NET9 project aims to take advantage of the untapped potential of East and Southeast Europe (ESEE) by lifting existing and persisting barriers, namely obsolete treatment technologies, lack of know-how on the part of the workforce, and insufficient penetration in secondary raw materials markets. The consortium comprises 11 partners from 5 RIS and 2 non-RIS countries (SI, PL, HU, GR, CZ, DE, BE), representing the entire WEEE value chain, who will work together to:
a) Foster the cross-fertilization of innovation, by transferring advanced WEEE management, processing and recovery technological solutions, tailored to the needs and realities of the region’s recycling industries;
b) Improve the networking capacities of businesses, research actors, and decision-makers, and promote business synergies through matchmaking, networking & capacity building events;
c) Spark entrepreneurship by encouraging investments and business development along the WEEE value chain, and delivering start-up and business support services;
d) Showcase financial gains for territorial economies through liaising with public authorities, improving the policy framework and overall collection performance in each partnership country;
e) Diffuse circular economy principles in the society, underlining the role of the EIT RM KIC as a provider of opportunities for innovation.
