Hatch Küttner Joins the CRUSADE Project to Advance Sustainable Recycling in Europe
Exciting news! Hatch Küttner is now part of the CRUSADE Project, an innovative European Union-funded initiative set to transform how end-of-life auto parts, like catalysts, fuel cells, batteries, and printed circuit boards, are recycled. This four-year collaboration brings together 19 consortium partners from eight countries to tackle one of the biggest challenges in modern industry: securing critical raw materials and cutting CO2 emissions through better recycling practices.
At the heart of the CRUSADE Project is a goal to secure and recover critical materials—the metals and components essential for Europe's future industries. Rather than letting valuable materials go to waste, this project will reintegrate them into the economy, creating a more advanced circular system that will minimize environmental impact.
What makes this project so groundbreaking? It is the first-ever AI-driven auto-sampling recycling system. By combining blockchain, robotics, and artificial intelligence, CRUSADE is developing a high-tech, zero-waste approach to sorting and processing complex recyclables. This will lower costs, reduce waste, and boost efficiency, all while meeting Industry 4.0 standards.
As a proud consortium member, Hatch Küttner is contributing its expertise in metallurgy, sustainable industrial processes, and advanced plant engineering to help shape the future of recycling.
"We are proud to participate in the Crusade Horizon project, leveraging our technologies and expertise to drive Industry 4.0 innovations. Due to the highly advanced and modern recycling methods employed, CO2 emissions are significantly reduced, contributing to industrial progress and a sustainable future." [Lucas Brockerhoff, Process Engineer/Project lead]
In the short term, universities and industry partners, like Sunlight, will gain valuable knowledge from pilot plant operations, supporting the development of cutting-edge recycling techniques. Long-term, this project will help industries reduce their carbon footprint, minimize waste, and optimize resource recovery, making sustainability more accessible and cost-effective.
Hatch Küttner’s work with the CRUSADE Project will continue until 2026, providing a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading academic and industrial partners, gain insights from pilot projects, and stay ahead of next-generation recycling technology.
By deepening relationships with industry pioneers and refining advanced recycling processes, Hatch Küttner is reinforcing its leadership in metallurgical innovation—ensuring the company stays at the top of its field as recycling challenges grow more complex.