Project partners: IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and Outokumpu Stainless AB in Avesta
Grant: SEK 298 556
Project duration: 2025-11-15 to 2026-05-15
Contact person: Mayumi Narongin-Fujikawa, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Purpose and objectives
The aim is to develop new technical solutions to reduce molybdenum emissions from the iron and steel industry, where current treatment techniques are not sufficient. By exploring alternative methods at bench scale, the project aims to contribute to reducing the spread of molybdenum in surface water, which is important for both ecosystems and grazing animals. In the long term, the project will lay the foundation for scaling up and implementing sustainable solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish environmental technology. The goal is to explore the feasibility, at bench scale, and develop a basis for a track 2 application for innovative solutions for molybdenum reduction.
Expected impacts and results
The project is expected to provide new solutions to reduce molybdenum emissions from the iron and steel industry, contributing to improved water quality, ecosystem protection and reduced risk of copper deficiency in grazing animals. The work strengthens the competitiveness of Swedish environmental technology and creates the conditions for international commercialization and contribution to WWS and the UN’s clean water goals. The project also delivers data and verified concepts for further development in track 2.
Planned approach and implementation
The project is carried out over six months and runs several work stages in parallel to verify solutions and create a basis for a continuation in track 2. The work begins with a literature study and collection of process data from Outokumpu i. Subsequently, bench-scale experiments are carried out under the auspices of IVL with two alternative approaches: liquid membrane for selective separation of molybdenum and optimization of the existing precipitation process.
In parallel, dialog is being conducted with environmental technology companies and reference actors to evaluate market potential, dissemination and opportunities for scaling up. Implementation is based on close collaboration between IVL and Outokumpu. The result will be a basis for an application in track 2.
The text on this page was written by the project team. The content has not been reviewed by our editors.
Goals and tasks
- Resilient supply and management of water in society
- Secure supply and management of water
- Thriving and healthy waters
- Prevent and reduce the spread of hazardous substances
- Reduce negative impact on water ecosystems
