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LATEST NEWS
LATEST NEWS
Trending Topics (February 2025)
According to the Austrian investor scene, Argensus is one of the
Top 10 deep-tech start-ups
Investor feedback: "Who has never wanted to turn dirt into gold? Argensus manages to turn industrial waste into valuable raw materials - residue-free!
This reduces the CO2 footprint and improves the supply of raw materials in Europe."
THE COMPANY
THE COMPANY
Argensus – Next generation metal recovery.
A milestone for the circular economy in the Zinc-Industry.
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At least 150 million tons of residues from zinc production are deposited in landfills worldwide and are thus unused.
Every year, several million tons are added from current production.
The capacities of the landfills currently in use are coming to an end. New ones are usually no longer approved for environmental reasons, at least in Europe.
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Up to 15 percent of high-value metals (zinc, lead, copper, silver, gold, indium, other rare metals) are deposited in each landfill and cannot be recovered economically until now.
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They are therefore not available for securing many important raw materials.
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The ingridients of the residues have a negative impact to the environment and at the same time cause high costs for the enterprises responsible for operating the landfills.
Argensus processes these residues.
Argensus has developed a zero-waste recycling technology that creates value through the sustainable recovery of metals.
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The content of the landfill as well as the quality of the residuesfrom the ongoing production are tested by Argensus for their economic viability at pilot scale.
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Argensus invests in the recycling facilities and builds them on site.
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Ongoing production waste as well as the landfill residues are fed into the recycling loop and reconditioned without leaving further residues. Landfills are no longer required.
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On average, around 100 000 tons of metals can be recovered from 1 million tons of residues.
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The remaining 900 000 tons are also recycled: half of this is used to produce sand and half to produce gypsum - both high-quality and increasingly sought-after by-products.
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This recycling process significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the metals and the by-products produced compared to the primary production chain.
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By recovering metals and by-products from this unused source, Argensus is heavily supporting raw material supply reliability in Europe.
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THE ARGENSUS-PROJECT
Recovery of silver and other metals from residues of zinc production.
During the production of zinc metal, large quantities of residues are generated, which are currently non-recyclable and must therefore be landfilled. Approximately one ton of residue is produced for every ton of zinc metal. In 2023, around
14 million tons of zinc were produced worldwide.
The sludge-like residues contain up to 1/2 kg of silver per ton (1 000 kg), as well as 100 to 150 kg of other valuable metals (zinc, lead, copper, and, in some cases, gold, indium, and germanium). Silver, among other uses, is essential for the production of efficient PV modules.
Bullish forecasts for silver prices (Silver production and demand are diverging significantly due to the increasing production of PV panels and the rise of electric mobility) suggest a substantial upside. The value of the residue is depending on the quantity and type of metals present in the residue.
These residues are currently deposited globally due to the lack of recycling technologies. Argensus has developed a globally unique, economically viable, and pilot-scale tested recycling process. A patent for the process is pending. The plant risk is minimized, as only adapted standard machinery is used in the process.
A “green process” reduces CO2 emissions by more than 50% and leaves no additional residues from recycling – all metals and materials contained in the residue are processed and fed back into the cycle. This also supports the EU's raw material security.
Building costly sales structures is not needed, as the buyers of the products come from the commodity market.
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A first plant (with up to 300 000 tons annual throughput) is already in the planning phase. A preliminary contract securing access to approximately 2 million tons of landfill material as well as 200 000 tons of continuously generated residues per year has already been signed.
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10 processing lines (with a total annual throughput of 1 million tons) are planned to be built in Europe over the next twelve years. However, there is also very high market potential worldwide. Landfills with more than 50 million tons of residues are known to us.
THE TEAM
THE ARGENSUS - PROJECT
THE TEAM
The core team of Argensus consists of experienced professionals from various disciplines and is already working intensively on the implementation.
The core team looks back on many years of successful cooperation in many similar projects.
All the skills required for the success of this project can be found in our team: business development, technology, construction and operation of large scale-plants, as well as economic and financing expertise.
Over the past 15 years, our research and development team has already carried out R&D projects in process development and –optimization, mainly in the field of “recycling, reduction, and avoiding of metallurgical production residues”, for more than 50 BlueChip companies.
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LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT
The idea of processing large quantities of residues from zinc metal production without leaving any residue has long been a topic of metallurgical research.
The team of founders, including two leading experts from the Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria), who have been involved in Argensus' research and development work from the very beginning, began working on a zero-waste solution for these residues over 10 years ago.
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Since then, much has been invested and much has been achieved:
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Pre-evaluation of two dozen different residues worldwide. The result: more than three-quarters have so many valuable ingredients that they can be recycled economically.
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By investing several million euros of its own funds, the founders developed a process that finally was able to recycle almost 100% of the residue. A particular focus was put on the low CO2 footprint of the products in the overall system.
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Activities included hundreds of tests from laboratory- to pilot-scale as well as the construction and adaptation of pilot test facilities at the Leoben (Austria) Materials Testing Center.
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The process was verified and is now ready for the market.
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Argensus' unique zero-waste recycling technology creates value through the sustainable recovery of metals and building materials and supports the securing of raw materials in Europe.
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LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT
THE TECHNOLOGY
THE TECHNOLOGY
Until now, the only option from an economic point of view was to landfill residues from zinc production. An efficient zero-waste recycling technology has been lacking - worldwide.
Argensus is now filling this gap.
With this new and unique process, Argensus is not only able to recover valuable metals AND by-products from residues that are continuously produced, but also recycle and thus eliminate existing landfills.
After thermal pre-treatment step, the process enables the simultaneous recovery of various metals from the melted material as well as from the filter dust.
The extraction of further valuable materials (sand and gypsum) is realized in pre- and post-treatment steps.
Metal extraction efficiencies and product qualities are very high in this process.
THE PROCESS
Dumped or fresh material
Extraction of
deposited material
and/or use of
fresh raw material
from production
Raw Material
For further processing
(wet, sludge-like)
Drying & Agglomeration
Dried
Raw Material
Pre-Treatment
Calcination
(solid)
SO2 - Processing
Pre-treated
Raw Material
Gypsum
By-product
Main Treatment
Melting
(liquid)
Products
Silver
Main product
Zinc-Oxide
Main product
Lead Bullion
Main product
Slag
By-product
THE PRODUCTS
THE PRODUCTS
Recoverable Metals and By-produtcs from 1 million tons*
MAIN PRODUCTS
Silver
300 tons
​Applications:
Renewable energy (PV),
electronics industry,
jewelry, coins,
banks, financial markets
Lead
48 000 tons
Applications:
Lead industry,
electronics industry,
battery production
BY-PRODUCTS
Gold
475 kg
Applications:
Electronics industry,
jewelry, coins,
banks, financial markets
Indium Oxide
160 tons
Applications:
Renewable energy (PV),
electronics industry
Sand
480 000 tons
Applications:
Construction industry,
sand blasting
Zinc Oxide
55 000 tons
Applications:
Primary zinc industry,
tire industry
Copper
3 800 tons
Applications:
Electronics industry,
primary copper industry
Gypsum
420 000 tons
Applications:
Construction industry,
chemical industry
*Assumptions for standard dump (Base Case): All figures are based on
1 million tons of dry material. Specific content depends on type and background (ore origin) of the residue. Extraction of indium, gold, and copper subject to availability in original ore. Figures are rounded.
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PIPELINE AND MARKET POTENTIAL
PIPELINE AND MARKET POTENTIAL
Worldwide, 22 landfills have already been pre-evaluated, of which over 75% (17 landfills) offer a sufficient value basis to be recycled economically.
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Based on discussions with landfill owners in 15 countries, we estimate to get access to at least 25 million tons of deposited material.
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Nearly all accessible locations have at least one landfill as well as ongoing production, creating potential for multiple recycling lines at a single site.
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Project-Pipeline
Substantial market potential
At least 150 million tons are landfilled worldwide, with several million tons added each year.
Operating 10 processing lines with a total annual throughput of 1 million tons represents a market share in Europe's annual production of around 10% for silver, 4% for lead and 3% for zinc.
The inclusion of other waste products into the Recycling-process offers attractive additional potential.
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THE ARGENSUS-HIGHLIGHTS
BENEFITS FOR OUR INDUSTRY-PARTNERS
THE ARGENSUS-HIGHLIGHTS
Innovative, proprietary recycling technology
The unique technology fully processes zinc production residues, extracting high-value metals as well as the by-products gypsum and sand.
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It provides a much-needed solution to the limited landfill capacities.
It addresses the global demand for higher recycling rates.
It enhances the supply security of critical primary and precious metals, as well as sand and gypsum, in Europe.
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It reduces CO2 emissions by more than 50% compared to the primary zinc oxide production chain.
High value creation
The recoverable valuable metals in the residue have a total volume of up to 15% and include silver, zinc, lead, gold, copper, indium, and germanium.
The demand for the key value drivers, silver and zinc, is expected to increase, driven by the global rise in renewable energy and electric mobility.
The expected shortage of gypsum due to, among other factors, the closure of coal-fired power plants in Europe and sand is leading to higher price expectations. The emerging market gap can partially be addressed by the produced
by-products - this expected upside potential is not reflected for in the business plan.
High entry barriers
Long lead times for technology development, limited availability of the metallurgical expertise, and the access to a comprehensive testing-site create high market entry barriers.
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A close and long-standing partnership with a globally unique private large-scale test facility ensures the high quality of the pilot trials.
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The patenting process for the technology has been initiated.
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BENEFITS FOR OUR INDUSTRY-PARTNERS
Our industry-partners appreciate the value we create for them in many ways.
Zinc smelters and landfill operators benefit from positive financial and environmental impacts:
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Argensus avoids new landfills because continuously generated residues are directly recycled and converted into valuable products.
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Argensus excavates the existing landfills - the sites can be fully recultivated and are available for other purposes.
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Argensus helps to remove historic legacies and resolves potential conflicts with local stakeholders.
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Argensus helps to eliminate operating costs for the landfills.
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Argensus creates the conditions for the balance sheet relief of provisions.
Metal producers and traders benefit from a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of the metals and by-products produced in our Recycling-process compared to the primary production chain.
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As a local producer, we avoid global transport routes and offer CO2-reduced, "green" metals.
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We supply gypsum and sand in a raw material market that is becoming increasingly scarce worldwide. We also avoid long-distance transport of these products with high volumes and weights.​
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Argensus makes a significant contribution to utilising previously unused raw materials, thereby helping to secure Europe's raw material supply.​
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