The project iBot4CRMs addresses the urgent need to improve Europe’s resilience and sustainability by advancing the automated recovery and recycling of critical raw materials from waste. Current waste sorting systems depend significantly on human oversight and manual adjustments, limiting their efficiency in handling growing waste volumes and the complexity of modern materials as well as exposing humans to hazardous working conditions. iBot4CRMs leverages advanced AI, robotics, and data science to develop intelligent, adaptable systems to help meet EU goals for sustainable management of critical raw materials (CRMs) in line with Europe’s green and digital transition.

iBot4CRMs unites 18 partners from eight European countries, integrating diverse expertise and perspectives to drive transformative change. This unique alliance includes end-users, technology developers, recycling experts, manufacturers, and researchers, each contributing to cutting-edge solutions in waste management. Together, iBot4CRMs will deliver impactful innovations such as smart waste sorting machinery, an advanced waste perception suite, a collaborative dismantling robot, and a comprehensive database for CRMs in waste streams—all advancing Europe’s sustainability and circular economy goals.

Cyclefi is entrusted with guiding the consortium in addressing challenges associated with the development and application of advanced technologies within the iBot4CRMs project. In particular, Cyclefi will deliver a set of digital tools such as:
1) A database of critical metals.
2) A Digital Twin Platform.
3) A Digital Product Passport.