On the second and final day of E-Waste World 2025, one of the largest European events dedicated to the circular economy and electronic waste management, the Microelectronics Agenda stood out for its innovative contribution to the recovery of valuable metals from electronic waste. The Agenda’s representatives, Dr. Marta Lopes and Prof. Paula Morais, established several strategic contacts with potential international partners and clients, reflecting the strong interest generated by the technology developed in Portugal.
This participation reinforces the active role of the Microelectronics Agenda in the growing field of “Urban Mining” — a rapidly expanding area focused on reclaiming critical raw materials from electronic and electrical equipment, batteries, photovoltaic panels, and other waste sources. The integration of urban, primary, and secondary mining was one of the most discussed topics during the conferences held alongside the exhibition.
The sessions also highlighted the latest global trends and European regulations in the sector, showcasing the increasing collaboration between industry and research institutions in the search for sustainable solutions to the exponential rise in electronic waste.
The overall outcome of the Microelectronics Agenda’s participation in E-Waste World 2025 was highly positive, exceeding expectations in terms of receptiveness, collaboration opportunities, and international visibility of the Portuguese technology.
“E-Waste World 2025 showed that there is a global market attentive and eager for technological solutions capable of transforming waste into valuable resources. We are proud to bring national innovation to the heart of the green and digital transition,” said Prof. Paula Morais.
The Microelectronics Agenda benefits from a total eligible budget of €67,493,749.21, of which €30,048,411.91 is funded by the NextGenerationEU initiative. With completion scheduled for June 30, 2025, the project has already executed over 60% of the budget and made significant progress in product development, sustainability, and talent development. These advances position Portugal as a future global leader in the semiconductor sector.
