Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering

Hydrometallurgy and Corrosion (Hydromet)

The research group Hydromet, led by Prof. Mari Lundström, applies hydrometallurgical and electrochemical means for the recovery of metals and precious materials, development of electrolysis processes, study of corrosion properties and development of new materials from secondary raw materials.

Precious metals in crushed batteries being dissolved in a test tube. Photo: Glen Forde/Aalto Energy Platform

Our research areas:

Hydrometallurgical processing of primary and secondary raw materials - from fundamental phenomena to process design with environmental impact evaluation
Electrochemistry - electrochemical metal recovery, characterization, as well as corrosion processes
Utilizing secondary raw materials for the development of new processes and materials in circular economy of metals

The research group is dedicated to enabling sustainable living for future generations. As a result of the increased utilisation of electrification, automation, renewable energy solutions and the continued rise in living standards, numerous challenges related to the primary production and circular economy of metals have appeared.

By a combination of the theoretical understanding of hydrometallurgy, electrochemistry, corrosion prevention, process development, process modelling, LCA analysis and state of the art analysis techniques, our researchers are at the forefront of sustainable industrial-scale process development.

Furthermore, Hydromet’s extensive collaboration with a wide variety of industrial and academic stakeholders enables the pioneering of new innovative solutions for these crucial global challenges.

Solar cell component on wood bark on ice crystals — Nordic photovoltaics using plant-based materials

The demand for metals and other raw materials is expected to rise drastically in part as the world transitions towards more sustainable energy solutions. The use of renewable energy sources requires lithium ion batteries, photovoltaic cells and wind energy – complex products that are also highly metal intensive. Our research group aims to be at the forefront of the metals circular economy through development of efficient primary processes and by improving the recycling of end-of-life materials.

Hydromet Projects

The ongoing and past projects from Hydromet group can be found here.

Hydromet Facilities

Find an introduction to our facilities here.

Research group members:

Find here our latest activities.

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Professor Mari Lundström with Tesla / Photo: Pertti Kauranen

Press releases Published: 9.6.2020

Prof. Mari Lundström featured in Millenium Talks

Host Henkka Hyppönen and Assistant Professor Mari Lundström discuss possibilities and challenges in recycling of batteries at the laboratories of Hydrometallurgy and Corrosion.

Cooperation Published: 24.9.2019

Hydromet group at BATCircle Seminar in Pori 3.9.2019

The first BATCircle Seminar was held in University Consortium of Pori. Prof. Lundström and the group's researchers workingwith LIB recycling, process design and primary processing attended the seminar.

Cooperation Published: 27.6.2019

Hydromet at BatteRIes Europe in Brussels 24.6.2019

ETIP BatteRIes Europe officially launched at Brussels on 24.6.2019. The platform brings together all relevant stakeholders in the European batteries research and innovation ecosystem in order to develop and support a competitive battery value chain in Europe.