The 4th ENA (European NORM Association) Congress took place in Seville, Spain, from 9–12 March 2026, bringing together experts from across Europe to discuss developments and challenges related to NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials).
The FIC-Fighters Project was represented by project partners from Universidad de Sevilla, Åbo Akademi University, and SCK CEN. During the congress, the project contributed to several scientific sessions, sharing progress and insights related to phosphogypsum management and valorisation.
Visit to the FIC-Fighters pilot plant at the University of Seville
Key Presentations
On 11 March 2026, several presentations related to the project were delivered:
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08:45 – 09:30 | Keynote Presentation
Stakeholder perspectives on the management of the Turnu Magurele NORM site in Romania
Authors: Catrinel Turcanu -
11:20 – 11:40
Recycling phosphogypsum for the circular economy: tracking radioactive species from the starting material to the final valuable products
Authors: A. Pavón-Duarte, A. Romero-García, M. Vasile, N. Impens, L. Esquivias, V. Morales-Flórez -
11:40 – 12:00
Leaching behaviour of phosphorus and rare earth elements from Croatian phosphogypsum for valorisation
Authors: M. Zevenhoven, S. Nordgren, D. Schmid, R. Zevenhoven, Ch. Kensy, S. Pavon, N. Impens, M. Vasile -
12:00 – 12:20
Radioactive elements in phosphogypsum during chemical conversions
Authors: R. Zevenhoven, E. Koivisto, J.-O. Lill, V. Vergara-Uribe, M. Zevenhoven, M. Vasile, N. Impens
Panel Discussion
Later in the day, project experts also participated in Panel Discussion 3: Scientific, social and regulatory challenges in phosphogypsum re-use (16:05–17:30).
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Moderator: Vanessa Montoya (ENA)
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Panelists:
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Fernando Mosqueda (NORM Technology Consulting)
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Ron Zevenhoven (Åbo Akademi University)
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Marija Djurokovic (Prehnit)
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Robbe Geysman (SCK-CEN)
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Poster Presentation
The project was also represented in the poster session with the presentation:
– Radiological characterization of European phosphogypsum for sustainable recycling strategies
Authors: N. Impens, M. Vasile, V. Morales-Flórez
Technical Visit
Following the congress, on 13 March 2026, participants attended a side event including a visit to the phosphogypsum pilot plant at the Universidad de Sevilla.
The visit offered a great opportunity to showcase the project’s work on the valorisation of phosphogypsum and its transformation into useful industrial materials. A key strength of the project is the active involvement of industry partners within the consortium, ensuring that the solutions developed respond to real industrial needs.
Featured in Spanish Media
In relation to the FIC-Fighters participation in the Congress, the project has been featured in Spanish media. Project partner Victor Morales Flórez from Universidad de Sevilla spoke on Cadena SER (Huelva) about the project research on transforming phosphogypsum stacks via the NaOH Route and now being optimised at lab scale by our research team.
🎧 Professor Morales speaks in Spanish here from minute 11:49: https://cadenaser.com/audio/ser_huelva_hora14huelva_20260309_141504_143000
Advancing Sustainable Solutions
The FIC-Fighters project focuses on transforming phosphogypsum into valuable commercial products through sustainable, near-zero-waste processes. Participation in the ENA Congress provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, present research findings, and discuss innovative approaches to turning an environmental challenge into sustainable solutions.
Through collaboration and innovation, the project contributes to a more circular economy and a greener future.
Please find below a selection of pictures from the congress:
