SIM2 KU Leuven

The KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM²) is a world-leading, interdisciplinary research institute committed to supporting the transition to a climate-friendly, circular economy by performing in-depth scientific research and future-oriented education with respect to the eco-friendly production and recycling of metals and minerals. SIM² is one of the flagship KU Leuven Institutes formally endorsed by the KU Leuven Academic Council. SIM²'s mission is "to develop, organise and implement problem-driven, science-deep research and future-oriented education, contributing to the environmentally friendly production and recycling of metals, minerals and engineered materials, supporting the transition to a climate-friendly, circular-economy." SIM² KU Leuven therefore designs, researches and exploits selective and efficient processes for the exploration, extraction, recovery, recycling and refining of (base and critical) metals and minerals, as well as for the upcycling of primary and secondary resources and the re- and demanufacturing of End-of-Life complex metal-containing products. SIM² KU Leuven assesses and advances the environmental gains and the economic feasibility of the developed flow sheets. In order to support the Social License to Operate for the associated industrial activities, SIM² KU Leuven pro-actively engages with external stakeholders, including civil society groups and local communities. SIM² KU Leuven also assesses the potential health and environmental impacts of (primary) mining activities to support the transition to responsible mining. SIM² unites more than 200 researchers at KU Leuven in a genuinely interdisciplinary setting.