The MareMag LIFE project
Overview
Name and acronym: LIFE23-ENV-IT-MareMag LIFE, MareMag LIFE
Programme: Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)
Coordinator: Università degli studi di Palermo
Where: Trapani (IT), Kitros (EL)
Start and end date: 01/09/2024 – 28/02/2029, 54 mesi (4,5 anni)
Total budget: 5,306,137 €
UNIPA budget: 1,427,158 €
Co-financing: 60%
The MareMag LIFE project, entitled "Innovative marine magnesium minerals for safe, sustainable, and circular production of chemicals" (LIFE23-ENV-IT-MareMag LIFE), aims to develop and demonstrate at operational scale a new strategy for the production of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2).
Based on the scientific and technical results obtained during the SEArcularMINE H2020 RIA project, the new strategy consists of a safe and sustainable process, entirely powered by renewable energy sources and requiring no additional chemical reagents (only those produced on-site). The strategy aims to ensure magnesium mineral production in the Mediterranean area that can make Europe independent of external markets.
The raw material of the MareMag LIFE project is the residual brine from the production of table salt in saltworks.
The resulting product, the magnesium hydroxide, will be marketed both for conventional alkaline reagents, which can be harmful to the environment or humans, and for flame retardant sectors, replacing carcinogenic and persistent substances such as decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE).
The innovative strategy will first be demonstrated in the Trapani saltworks, then replicated in Greece and subsequently extended worldwide.
The implementation of the MareMag LIFE project aims to eliminate the carbon footprint associated with traditional Mg(OH)2 production processes from mining or seawater.
The project includes specific actions aimed at protecting the saltworks ecosystem from which the brine is extracted. The life cycle analysis of the saltworks will highlight the potential impacts of the project on all biotic and abiotic ecosystems, also providing support for the implementation of potential impact mitigation measures, such as naturalistic interventions to promote the nesting of migratory species.
The MareMag LIFE project will demonstrate that adopting a circular economy approach can effectively address all direct and indirect aspects related to chemical production, making these activities sustainable for the environment, the economy, and communities.
Kick-off meeting: https://www.unipa.it/strutture/centro-sostenibilita/en/Research/project-Maremaglife/
News and updates: https://www.maremag.it/produzione-magnesio-progetto-life/
Parteners
1. Università degli Studi di Palermo - Centro di Sostenibilità e Transizione Ecologica
2. ResourSEAs srl – Italia; Partner affiliato: MareMag srl - Italia
3 SOSALT SpA - Italia
4 Hellenic Saltworks (HSW) - Grecia
5 Nuova SIMA srl - Italia
UNIPA Coordinator
Prof. Giorgio Micale - CSTE
MareMag LIFE project Kick-off meeting
The kick-off meeting of the MareMag LIFE project, led by the University of Palermo and the Center for Sustainability and Ecological Transition, was held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The project involves several research groups at the University, along with national and international companies, with the aim of demonstrating how the various facets of sustainability can synergistically contribute to the success of new production processes.
Over the course of 4.5 years, a new circular economy approach for the production of magnesium minerals will be brought from academia to the market, maximizing benefits for humans and the environment.
