Innovation Fund Project
Accelerating Europe’s transition towards a climate-neutral industry
Through advanced urban mining and strategic metals recovery — supported by the European Union Innovation Fund.
About the Project
Supported by the European Union
POLVOLT has received support from the European Union Innovation Fund, one of the world’s largest funding programmes dedicated to innovative low-carbon technologies.
The project contributes to the European Union’s climate objectives by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening Europe’s supply of critical raw materials.
Project Summary
A leading facility for critical raw materials
POLVOLT aims to become one of Europe’s leading innovation facilities dedicated to the recycling and production of critical raw materials.
The project integrates advanced pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical technologies to recover and refine precious metals, base metals and battery metals from recycled battery black mass and electronic waste.
Compared with conventional production routes, POLVOLT is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 86%, while avoiding around 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions during its first ten years of operation.
The facility will utilize renewable energy and advanced monitoring systems to maximize resource efficiency, energy performance and environmental sustainability.
Project Objectives
Five goals guiding the project
Accelerate Decarbonisation
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional metal production.
Strengthen European Supply Chains
Increase access to strategically important raw materials recovered within Europe.
Advance Circular Economy
Return valuable resources from waste streams back into industrial production.
Support Innovation
Deploy advanced recycling and refining technologies at industrial scale.
Create Regional Value
Generate skilled employment and support long-term economic development.
Expected Results
Measurable outcomes across three dimensions
Environmental Impact
- 86% lower relative greenhouse gas emissions
- 4.5M tonnes CO₂eq avoided within the first 10 years
- Significant reduction in demand for primary raw material extraction
Industrial Impact
- Strengthened European supply chains
- Increased availability of critical battery metals
- Greater strategic autonomy for the European Union
Socioeconomic Impact
- 250+ direct jobs
- Additional indirect employment opportunities
- Cooperation with universities and research institutions
- Regional development in Silesia, Poland
Project Timeline
From vision to operation
Project initiation
Initiation of project activities, planning and development work.
Kick-offEngineering and permitting
Detailed engineering, environmental permitting and preparation for construction activities.
Construction and installation
Construction of key industrial infrastructure and installation of major equipment.
Copper Smelter & Refinery operational
MilestoneRenewable Energy Supply System operational
MilestoneBlack Mass Processing Facility operational
Full operationsProject Participants
Consortium behind POLVOLT
Elemental Battery Metals Sp. z o.o.
Elemental Holding S.A.
Project Visualisation
POLVOLT facility in Zawiercie
Innovation Fund
Supported by the European Union
POLVOLT is co-financed by the European Union Innovation Fund — one of the world’s largest funding programmes for innovative low-carbon technologies.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.