Exploring Zeolite Solutions for Circular Economy: Z-ONA4LIFE Open Consultation
Driving Sustainable Aluminium Production through Circular Economy
The Circular Economy has emerged as a strategic imperative, particularly in crucial sectors like aluminium production. Recognising its significance, the European Union has set ambitious policies to foster innovation and sustainability. Z-ONA4LIFE stands at the forefront of this movement, aligning with key EU strategies such as the Circular Economy Action Plan, EU Industrial Strategy, Waste Framework Directive, European Green Deal, and Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to transform aluminium production into a sustainable, circular practice.
Launched in September 2023, Z-ONA4LIFE aims to catalyse circularity within the aluminium industry by 2027. The project unfolds through four pivotal stages:
- Waste Selection: Addressing hazardous aluminium salt slag and Si-rich waste, exploring recovery options.
Products, Process, and Scaling-up: Producing Z-ONA zeolite from aluminium slag, scaling up to a pilot plant level, and recovering valuable by-products. - Circularity and near-zero waste: Z-ONA zeolite will be used in a variety of applications, including the treatment of gases from the aluminium industry itself and the purification of liquid effluents. In addition, spent zeolite will be used to optimise composting processes.
- Sustainability and Results Exploitation: Demonstrating scalable Z-ONA zeolite manufacturing on a pilot scale, ensuring broad project replication, and promoting sustainability.
Investing zeolite applications in Circular Economy
On 23 July 2024, Z-ONA4LIFE project members will host a webinar to share the main outcomes of the "Zeolite in Focus: Advancing Circular Economy Practices Workshop" and create a forum for open consultation to gather insights from experts to then write a blueprint with a set of recommendations based on the innovative applications of Z-ONA zeolite that can influence policies on the Green Deal.
Why should you attend this webinar?
Join us for our upcoming webinar where we welcome all those interested in sustainable resource recovery, waste management, and emission reduction. Discover the impact of Z-ONA4LIFE and explore how you can help shape the future of zeolite applications within the circular economy framework at the European level.
Agenda
| 15:00-15:05 | Welcome and Introduction, Rita Giuffrida, Trust-IT Services |
| 15:05-15:15 | Overview of the Z-ONA4LIFE main objectives, Aurora Lopez-Delgado, CSIC |
| 15:15-15:35 | Key Outcomes from the “Zeolite in Focus: Advancing Circular Economy Practices” Workshop, Rita Giuffrida, Trust-IT Services |
| 15:35-15:45 | Introducing the open consultation: Goals and Participation, Nathaniel Cueter, Trust-IT Services |
| 15:45- 15:55 | Q&A session with the audience |
| 15:55-16:99 | Concluding remarks and next steps |
Our role
Trust-IT leads and coordinates the activities related to EU Policy and Market Studies for the Z-ONA4LIFE project. In addition to organising this event, we are responsible for conducting comprehensive desktop research and market analysis. Additionally, we lead public consultations with stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of zeolite applications in the European industrial sector. The insights gathered are used to provide policy makers with recommendations aimed at increasing the adoption of zeolites across Europe.