Researchers at the University of Oulu have developed an environmentally friendly method for recovering vanadium from steel industry slag at low temperatures. Vanadium, a critical raw material used in steel, batteries, and chemical industries, is typically recovered using energy-intensive high-temperature processes.
The new process, tested in a doctoral thesis by Maria Kokko, allows vanadium to be extracted directly at around 60 degrees Celsius without the need for roasting. The method also recovers calcium first, which enhances industrial utilization, and supports recycling of process solutions, promoting circular economy principles.
The research demonstrates significant potential for European self-sufficiency in critical raw materials and aligns with efforts to implement sustainable, fossil-free steel production in the Nordic region. The study was funded by the Steel and Metal Producers’ Fund of the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation.
Source: University of Oulu
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