ISMC participates in the “Secondary Raw Materials for a Sustainable Thermoelectrics Ecosystem” session during the EIT RawMaterials Summit 2026
On 20 May, the Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC) took part in the event “Secondary Raw Materials for a Sustainable Thermoelectrics Ecosystem”, held within the framework of the EIT RawMaterials Summit 2026. The session brought together European experts, researchers and industry representatives to discuss the strategic potential of secondary raw materials and mine waste in strengthening Europe’s resilience and autonomy in critical raw materials supply chains.
The European project PERMANET was represented by Ignacio Herráez from Técnicas Reunidas, coordinator of the initiative. The session was hosted by the START Project, a project focused on developing a sustainable European thermoelectric ecosystem through the recovery and valorisation of secondary raw materials.
Mine waste as a strategic source of Critical Raw Materials
One of the key topics addressed during the session was the growing importance of mine waste and secondary resources as strategic alternatives for securing Europe’s supply of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). In this context, the START project is contributing to EU strategic autonomy by replacing scarce imported tellurium with tetrahedrite minerals sourced from European mining waste streams.
The project promotes a circular and sustainable approach capable of reducing Europe’s dependence on imported raw materials while supporting innovation in advanced thermoelectric technologies and resource efficiency.
The event programme included several introductory presentations showcasing the project’s main achievements and technological developments, followed by a roundtable discussion focused on the role of European mine waste in the future supply of strategic raw materials.

European experts and institutions driving innovation in raw materials
The session gathered representatives from leading European organisations linked to research, technology and innovation in the raw materials sector, including:
- Daniel Oliveira, LNEG
- Duygu Yilmaz, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE)
- Eduardo Santos, 3drivers – Quadrante
- Emese Karacsonyi, La Palma Research Centre
- Filipe Neves, START Coordinator at LNEG
- Hao Yin, TEGnology
- Ignacio Herráez, Técnicas Reunidas / PERMANET
- Gracia Olivenza, Secretary General of the Asociación de Servicios de Geología y Minería Iberoamericanos
Their participation highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration to accelerate innovation, circularity and sustainability across Europe’s raw materials value chains.
ISMC reinforces its commitment to sustainable and resilient raw materials value chains
ISMC’s participation in this session reinforces the cluster’s commitment to promoting innovative solutions for the sustainable supply of raw materials, fostering collaboration between industry, research centres, technology providers and European institutions.
The EIT RawMaterials Summit 2026 continues to position itself as one of Europe’s leading forums for dialogue on critical raw materials, circular economy strategies and industrial competitiveness, bringing together key stakeholders from across the European raw materials ecosystem.


