Thermodynamic and Circular Economy Modelling for Resource Efficiency, Critical Raw Materials and Industrial Decarbonisation (Cluster 4)

The Industrial Ecology Research Group from the ENERGAIA Institute (University of Zaragoza, Spain) develops advanced thermodynamic, thermoeconomic and systemic tools to optimise resource use in industrial systems and support the transition to a circular economy.

We have experience in Horizon Europe projects, including coordination of work packages related to circular economy, sustainability assessment and resource efficiency.

Our expertise integrates:

• Thermodynamic and thermoeconomic modelling to quantify natural resource degradation, material dissipation and process inefficiencies

• Material Flow Analysis (MFA) for primary and secondary raw materials at plant, regional and value-chain scale

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) (attributional and consequential), including environmental, biodiversity and natural capital indicators

• Process simulation and optimisation from laboratory to pilot scale

• Techno-economic and sustainability assessment of emerging technologies

Relevant Calls

HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-04

Optimise the usage of resources in a circular economy (Processes4Planet & Clean Steel)

We contribute to optimisation of extractive, metallurgical, chemical and recycling processes, identification of industrial symbiosis opportunities, and development of circularity and resource-efficiency indicators at plant and value-chain level. We support industrial decarbonisation and circular production models through systemic modelling and sustainability benchmarking.

HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-31

Efficient CO₂ capture, purification and utilisation (Processes4Planet)

We contribute through thermodynamic efficiency analysis, energy–material integration, process modelling and optimisation of CO₂ capture and conversion value chains. Our work includes heat recovery assessment, equilibrium constraints analysis, GHG-avoidance methodologies, and lifecycle and techno-economic evaluation of CO₂ valorisation technologies.

HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-12

Technologies for innovative extraction of critical raw materials

We assess innovative extraction technologies through thermodynamic accounting, MFA, LCA and process simulation. Our work includes modelling of extractive and metallurgical processes, evaluation of GHG intensity, water and energy use, and analysis of secondary recovery from mining residues, industrial wastes and abandoned sites. We also develop thermodynamic-based criticality indicators aligned with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.

HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-13

Monitoring of secondary raw materials (CSA)

We support monitoring and foresight of secondary raw materials through MFA-based modelling of anthropogenic stocks and flows, bottleneck identification, recycling performance assessment and harmonised sustainability indicators. We analyse WEEE, mining residues, industrial slags and construction materials, contributing to strategic raw materials intelligence and policy support.

HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-14

Improving availability of secondary raw materials through recycling (IA)

We specialise in optimisation of recycling systems for metals and critical raw materials using thermodynamic accounting, thermoeconomic analysis, MFA, LCA and process simulation. We evaluate complete recycling value chains, identify bottlenecks, analyse industrial symbiosis opportunities and support the design of high-quality recycling systems for urban mines and end-of-life products.