CFPs: Nordic Secondary Critical Raw Materials Value Chains

This funding call by Nordic Innovation supports cross-border projects that build industrial value chains for secondary critical raw materials. It focuses on recycling, circular economy solutions, and reducing dependency on imported raw materials. Projects must demonstrate strong industry collaboration, clear market demand, and scalable impact across the Nordic region.

Overview 

The Nordic Innovation call is designed to fund collaborative, industry-driven projects that develop sustainable value chains using secondary critical raw materials. These materials are recovered from waste or industrial side streams and reused in industrial applications.

The initiative aligns with Europe’s strategic goal to reduce reliance on imported raw materials and strengthen domestic supply chains, particularly for the green and digital transition.

Key Focus Areas

The call prioritizes projects working in the following areas:

• Critical raw materials recovery and reuse
• Recycling and circular economy solutions
• Industrial value chain development
• Waste and industrial side stream utilization
• Resource efficiency and sustainability
• Green and digital transition support
• Reduction of technical, operational, and economic barriers

Projects must clearly connect these themes to real industrial use cases.

What Are Secondary Critical Raw Materials?

Secondary critical raw materials are valuable materials recovered from waste streams or by-products instead of being extracted from primary sources.

Examples include:

• Metals recovered from electronic waste
• Minerals extracted from industrial residues
• Recycled materials used in manufacturing

These materials are essential for industries such as clean energy, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.

Funding Details

• Total funding pool: NOK 10 million
• Project funding range: NOK 2,000,000 to NOK 5,000,000
• Funding depends on project scope, scale, and impact

Projects must demonstrate efficient use of funds and strong potential for scalability.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must form a consortium with the following criteria:

• Minimum 3 partners
• Partners from at least 3 different Nordic countries
• Cross-border collaboration is mandatory

Eligible participants include:

• Recycling and waste management companies
• Industrial and manufacturing firms
• Technology providers
• End-users of materials
• Research and innovation institutions
• Public sector organizations
• Industry clusters

Strong industrial involvement and access to relevant material streams are key evaluation factors.

Why This Call Matters

This initiative addresses critical challenges in Europe’s resource ecosystem:

• Reduces dependence on imported raw materials
• Supports the transition to a circular economy
• Unlocks value from waste and industrial by-products
• Strengthens regional industrial competitiveness
• Enables sustainable and scalable innovation

The Nordic region has significant untapped potential in waste streams, making it a strategic focus area.

Project Requirements

Projects funded under this call must:

• Start with a clearly defined feedstock containing critical raw materials
• Source materials from waste or industrial side streams
• Cover the full value chain, including:
  • Collection
  • Sorting
  • Processing
  • Industrial application
  • End-use deployment
• Demonstrate strong industrial relevance
• Show clear market demand
• Identify and reduce key barriers (technical, operational, economic)

How to Apply / How It Works

Step 1: Form a Consortium
Identify and partner with at least two other organizations from different Nordic countries. Ensure representation across the value chain.

Step 2: Define the Feedstock
Select a specific waste or industrial stream containing critical raw materials.

Step 3: Develop the Value Chain
Outline how materials will move from recovery to final industrial use. Include all stages.

Step 4: Demonstrate Market Need
Provide evidence of demand for the recovered materials in real applications.

Step 5: Address Barriers
Clearly identify challenges and propose solutions to overcome them.

Step 6: Prepare the Proposal
Include:

• Project objectives
• Technical approach
• Partner roles
• Budget breakdown
• Expected outcomes and impact

Step 7: Submit Application
Ensure compliance with funding limits and eligibility criteria.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Weak industry participation
• Lack of clear feedstock definition
• Incomplete value chain coverage
• No demonstrated market demand
• Overlooking economic feasibility
• Poor cross-border collaboration
• Unclear impact or scalability plan

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Focus on real industrial applications, not just research
• Include strong industry partners with proven expertise
• Ensure access to actual material streams
• Quantify environmental and economic impact
• Align with circular economy and sustainability goals

FAQs

What is the main goal of this funding call?
The goal is to develop industrial value chains that use secondary critical raw materials and reduce reliance on imports.

How much funding can a project receive?
Projects can receive between NOK 2 million and NOK 5 million depending on scope.

Is cross-border collaboration required?
Yes, projects must include at least three partners from three different Nordic countries.

What types of materials are eligible?
Materials must be critical raw materials sourced from waste or industrial side streams.

Can research institutions apply?
Yes, but projects must include strong industrial partners and demonstrate real-world application.

What makes a project competitive?
Clear market demand, strong consortium, full value chain coverage, and scalable impact.

Are purely research-based projects eligible?
No, projects must be industry-driven with practical implementation focus.

Conclusion

The Nordic Innovation call offers a strategic opportunity to build sustainable, industry-led value chains using secondary critical raw materials. By focusing on collaboration, circular economy principles, and real market applications, this initiative aims to strengthen resource security and drive innovation across the Nordic region.