Contents
Overview
We turned our focus to what attention has long abandoned: waste. Red mud, a toxic byproduct of aluminum production, hides rare earth elements (REEs) critical for modern technology, yet it has long been overlooked. An economically feasible and environmentally sustainable recovery method is yet to be developed, making this both a pressing challenge and a unique opportunity. Our team approached it from multiple angles: environmental, societal, and scientific.
We reached out to academics, policymakers, industrial partners, NGOs, and communities to explore how our project could be responsible, safe, and impactful. Building on this perspective, we focused on key areas such as biosafety, bioethics, and regulatory considerations, uniting our goals of sustainability and innovation.
We reached out to academics, policymakers, industrial partners, NGOs, and communities to explore how our project could be responsible, safe, and impactful. Building on this perspective, we focused on key areas such as biosafety, bioethics, and regulatory considerations, uniting our goals of sustainability and innovation.
Fundamentals
Our project is built around three fundamental pillars: science, society, and environment. Together, they guide how we think, act, and evaluate our project impact.
Society
Understanding affected communities was central to our work. We drew on existing reports, academic studies, and expert consultations to build a grounded perspective. This approach helped us reflect on the social dimensions of REE recovery and the red mud issue, exploring how they connect to local communities, environmental justice, and broader questions of equity.
“Science helps us understand the world and create a better one.”
– Dr. Marie Perrin, REEcover
Environment
Sustainability shaped every stage of our design. By examining the ecological impacts of red mud and REE recovery, we aimed to reduce harm, enhance biosafety, and turn industrial challenges into opportunities for restoration.
“To protect the environment, we must understand how pollutants behave in these facilities and how well they can be managed.”
– Dr. Ralf Kägi, Eawag
Science
Our project draws on expertise in synthetic biology, biogeochemistry, and rare earth element (REE) recovery. Through iterative refinement informed by both established research and emerging methodologies, we developed novel approaches that bridge these disciplines to address complex environmental challenges.
“Collaboration and curiosity are key to innovation.”
– Dr. Ralf Kägi, Eawag
Experts
For us, it was essential to include input from experts across diverse fields at every stage of the process. Expert interviews helped shape our approach, ensuring that each decision was informed, balanced, and grounded in real-world knowledge.
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Eawag – Department Process Engineering |
nanoparticles, microplastics
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Eawag – Department Environmental Chemistry |
UZH – Department of Chemistry |
biological degradation
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Eawag – Department Surface Waters Research & Management |
Inorganic contaminants
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ETH Zurich – D-HEST INFH – Sustainable Food Processing |
Microalgae
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University Tübingen – Faculty of Science |
Geomicrobiology
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Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources |
Biomining
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Research Associate for Soil Ecotoxicology at the Ecotox Center |
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
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TU Munich – TUM School of Natural Sciences – Assistant Professorship of Protein Chemistry |
De novo protein design
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IBBIS Technical Consultant |
Founder of the iGEM Space Initiative
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CEO and founder of metaLead
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CEO and Co-Founder of CellX |
Sustainable biodegradation of toxic pollutants
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CEO of REEcover |
REE recovering from electronic waste
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Studio ThusThat |
Sustainable design from overlooked materials
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ETH transfer IP & Licensing
Expert Insights in Action
The insights contributed by experts transcended discussion, becoming integral to the evolution of our project. Their perspectives informed the refinement of our design, priorities, and overarching vision.
Regulation & Policy
Understanding local and global regulations ensures our solutions are compliant and socially responsible.
Biosafety
We prioritize safety in every step of our design process: from lab protocols to containment strategies.
Industry
Collaborating with industry experts allows us to align innovation with real-world feasibility and standards.
Bioethics
Ethical reflection is central to our project: addressing questions of responsibility, transparency, and consent.
NGOs
We engage with NGOs to integrate social and environmental perspectives into our approach.
Communities
Local communities provide valuable insights that help shape responsible applications of biotechnology.
Research
We explore innovative approaches and validate results through systematic experimentation.
Intellectual Property
We protect and share our innovations responsibly to promote open, ethical collaboration.
Conclusion
Red mud stands as one of the most complex and challenging industrial wastes, highly alkaline, metal-rich, and environmentally persistent. While it holds potential as a secondary source of valuable elements like iron, aluminum, and rare earths, its harsh chemistry and non-biocompatible nature create major barriers to sustainable recovery.
The science is clear: conventional biological or chemical approaches alone are insufficient. The most promising path forward lies in hybrid systems, where chemical pretreatment simplifies the matrix and biological or molecular processes refine recovery with precision and selectivity. These approaches must be guided by rational molecular design, careful techno-economic analysis, and continuous environmental assessment to ensure that innovation does not create new forms of waste or risk.
Yet, technical progress alone is not enough. Public perception, regulation, and design all play critical roles in shaping red mud’s future. By reframing red mud from “waste” to “resource” through creative reuse and transparent risk communication, we can bridge scientific innovation with societal acceptance.
Ultimately, the goal is not just to recover metals from red mud, but to design recovery systems that are sustainable, adaptive, and ethically grounded, turning a global waste challenge into a model for responsible, circular innovation.
Sources
- [1] Stefan Ruyters et al. The Red Mud Accident in Ajka (Hungary): Plant Toxicity and Trace Metal Bioavailability in Red Mud Contaminated Soil. Link.