TriFluorium Project Selected as One of the Top Innovations from Over 1,200 Proposals

[Wiener Neustadt, 05th March 2025] – TriFluorium project has been selected as one of the leading innovations from a highly competitive pool of over 1,200 proposals. This prestigious recognition underscores the project’s transformative potential in revolutionizing recycling technologies for highly stable organofluoride waste, focusing on PFAS and especially fluoropolymers conversion into stable inorganic fluorides relevant for market.

TriFluorium aims to expand circular economy capabilities by pioneering a novel recycling approach using tribolysis — a mechanochemical process that enables safe, sustainable, and efficient regeneration of fluorine into valuable industrial resources, such as fluorspar. Given the critical role of fluoropolymers in key industries like semiconductors, hydrogen production, fuel cells, and electric vehicles, the establishment of their recycling strategies is essential to overcome current disposal strategies limitations and to reduce reliance on imported fluorspar critical raw material, which currently has a low recycling rate of only 1% within the EU.

“We are honored to be chosen among such a distinguished group of high-risk high-gain proposals bearing the highest stamp of scientific excellence,” said Lucia Pisarova, Project Coordinator at AC2T research GmbH. “This recognition validates our vision and reinforces our commitment to driving meaningful change through innovative and sustainable recycling technologies.”

The TriFluorium project seeks to establish the scientific and technological foundations for tribolytic F-recycling technology, applicable to highly stable organofluoride waste. By utilizing a dedicated Tribo-Reactor at a preparative scale, the project will demonstrate proof-of-concept for robust, energy-efficient, and safe tribolytic recycling, converting perfluorinated compounds into safe, stable inorganic fluorides. This process not only addresses critical environmental challenges but also enhances the circularity of fluorine resources, reducing dependence on mined fluorspar and providing high-quality raw materials free from disruptive elements found in natural ores.

Fluorine and fluorspar are classified as critical raw materials by the EU due to their indispensable role in industrial applications and their high risk of supply chain disruption. By ensuring the sustainable regeneration of fluorine, TriFluorium contributes to securing Europe’s industrial base and promoting a resilient and resource-efficient economy.

This recognition not only brings prestige but also opens doors to new opportunities for collaboration, funding, and broader implementation. As the project moves forward, the team remains dedicated to maximizing its impact and advancing circular economy solutions for fluorine-based materials.

For more information, visit the website: trifluorium.eu