Workshop WhISPER

Workshop Programme

The workshop will be organised in two parts:

• Technical implementation of an innovative iron silicate valorization process
• Sustainability of the valorization of iron silicate via the dry granulation process

Time	Details
09:00-09:10	Welcome and introduction Prof. Guido Sonnemann | University of Bordeaux
09:10-10:30	Technical implementation of an innovative iron silicate valorisation process
09:10-09:20	Introduction to the concept of the dry granulation technology to valorize iron silicates generated by the pyrometallurgical copper smelting process Cristina Gil Álvarez | Atlantic Copper & TBC | HATCH
09:20-09:40	Testimonial of demonstrating an innovative valorisation technology via a pilot plant Cristina Gil Álvarez | Atlantic Copper
09:40-10:00	Characterization and evaluation of iron silicates as alternative binders for construction applications Pavel Leonardo Lopez Gonzalez | KU Leuven
10:00-10:20	Potential use of the granulated iron silicates in the construction sector Ana Mladenovič | Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute - ZAG
10:20-10:30	Q&A / Moderated exchange with the workshop participants Prof. Guido Sonnemann | University of Bordeaux
10:30-10:45	Coffee break
10:45-12:30	Sustainability of the valorisation of iron silicate via the dry granulation process
10:45-11:15	Financial assessment and market potential for granulated iron silicate Kai Kappner | RWTH Aachen University
11:15-12:15	Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing to evaluate the sustainability of the dry granulation process Andrea Di Maria | KU Leuven & Aina Mas Fons | University of Bordeaux
12:15-12:25	Q&A / Moderated exchange with the workshop participants Prof. Guido Sonnemann | University of Bordeaux
12:25-12:30	Closing Prof. Guido Sonnemann | University of Bordeaux

Registration

Participants can register to the workshop during their symposium registration until 19 April. Participation to the workshop is free, however, registration is mandatory. An invitation to the Zoom meeting will be sent to all registered participants.

Interaction among the workshop participants will be highly encouraged. Therefore, the number of available places is limited – register as soon as possible!

Register for the workshop via our registration form

About the WhISPER project

Every year, the copper sector generates approximately 5 million tons of copper slag, or iron silicates, via the pyrometallurgical processing of copper ore in the EU. This slag contains valuable metals and other compounds, whereas current attempts of valorisation only generate low added value.

The aim of WhISPER (Waterless Iron Silicate Production with Energy Recovery) is to develop a new iron silicate produced with the atomisation technology while evaluating and demonstrating the new properties of the material for improved commercial applications. The project, led by Atlantic Copper, will enable an optimal use of raw materials within Europe and will contribute to the European Commission’s current strategy on the Circular Economy.

The experiences obtained within this project are expected to be of high value, not only for the global copper sector, but also for other actors in the non-ferrous metal industry and potential users of slags, such as the construction sector. Furthermore, the evaluation of the economic and environmental sustainability of the valorisation of the slag can be informative for a broad range of industrial actors that wish to strengthen their understanding in the identification of a market strategy for recycled materials and sustainability evaluation methods, such as Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing.

For more information on WHISPER, visit the website: https://whisper-project-eitrawmaterials.eu/

Contact information

For more information about this workshop, contact Aina Mas Fons
University of Bordeaux, Talence, France