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From Waste to Sustainable Products

Valorisation of phosphogypsum wastes into commercial products through sustainable and circular processes to achieve healthy cities.

Illustration depicting the circular economy process: transitioning from an industrial, polluted landscape with phosphogypsum waste to a thriving eco-friendly city. The scene highlights the recycling of waste into sustainable raw materials for industries such as construction, batteries, and detergents, symbolizing environmental recovery and economic sustainability.
Illustration showing the transition from a polluted industrial landscape with phosphogypsum waste to an eco-friendly city, recycling waste into sustainable materials for construction, batteries, and detergents.

The project addresses the pressing need for sustainable waste management by leveraging circular economy principles.

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To Fair, Inclusive, Circular & Healthy Cities

FIC-FIGHTERS is an EU-funded initiative aimed at creating sustainable economic models to manage waste that threatens our natural and cultural heritage. This project fosters dialogue on innovative solutions for long-standing waste accumulation issues near urban areas. By engaging local actors, industries, authorities, SMEs, research centers, and universities, we aim to scale up waste recovery processes to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-7 under the principles of the circular economy.

Logo of the FIC Fighters project: 'FIC' in green, followed by an eco-city icon, and 'Fighters' in a gradient from green to blue.
Illustration of a circular city symbolizing the transition to fair, inclusive, circular, and healthy cities, highlighting the integration of sustainable urban design and waste management.

Our focus is on the valorization of phosphogypsum waste (PG) to produce sustainable raw materials for the paper, cement, batteries, fertilizers, and detergents industries.

Over 48 months, in collaboration with the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), we will:

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01

Mobile Pilot Plant for Sustainable Materials

Build a
Mobile Pilot Plant

Demonstrate sustainable production of raw materials (sodium sulfate, Rare Earth Elements, phosphorus, aluminum hydroxide, ammonium sulfate, and precipitated calcium carbonate) starting from phosphogypsum and other wastes, using optimised results and digital twin technology.

02

Create a
Phosphogypsum Forum

Facilitate local discussions and workshops across 6 case studies, including citizen participation, to address socio-economic, environmental, and regulatory aspects of new circular business models.

03

Icon showing adaptability and replicability in circular economy processes.

Enhance Flexibility and Replicability

Address the flexibility and replicability of the valorization processes by incorporating six case studies and establishing the first known PG Exploitation Portal. This portal will focus on identifying, characterising, and reaching all European cities facing similar challenges.

04

Knowledge Exchange Forum

Create and Promote Knowledge Exchange Forum

Participate in clustering and CCRI events, establish a Community of Practice, and ensure project results are publicly available and exploitable, while addressing Intellectual Property protection.

05

Icon representing guidelines for circularity and sustainability.

Provide Circularity Guidelines

Develop guidelines based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), social, and health and safety studies.

“We’re committed to creating fair, sustainable cities.”

María González-Moya

Project Coordinator

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