A2A and Circular Materials are strengthening their collaboration to develop an industrial supply chain dedicated to the treatment and valorisation of metal-bearing wastewater, particularly from electroplating (in which surfaces are coated with layers of metal to protect them from corrosion or improve their properties) and other manufacturing-intensive processes.
The agreement brings together the expertise of A2A Group, led by CEO Renato Mazzoncini and a leader in Italy’s environmental and circular economy sectors, and „Circular Materials’ SWaP“ (Supercritical Water Precipitation) technology. In a single process, the solution combines industrial wastewater treatment with the recovery of strategically important metals, including nickel, copper and chromium, with recovery efficiencies above 99%.
At the heart of the partnership is the first industrial-scale plant in Italy to use this technology, which Circular Materials is building in Ferrara. It is designed to treat up to 20,000 tonnes of wastewater annually and recover up to 1,000 tonnes of secondary raw materials a year. The facility, representing a total investment by Circular Materials of around €30 million, is intended to serve Italian industry and become Europe’s first hub for recovering metals from liquid industrial waste.
Through its subsidiary A2A Ambiente, A2A will provide operational and commercial expertise via the Group’s network of facilities across Italy for the collection, management and delivery of wastewater to the new site. A2A’s experience with Circular Materials’ technology will accelerate the application of this model on an industrial scale, creating environmental and economic value. It is an example of a circular economy innovation that can return high-value materials to industry while enabling water, a precious resource, to be returned to the environment following further treatment processes.
The collaboration builds on a relationship that began in 2020, when A2A invested in Circular Materials through the climate tech fund 360 LIFE I, now managed by A2A Life Ventures together with 360 Capital, which invests in Seed and Series A start-ups in the ecological transition scope.
“With this partnership, we are taking a further step in the evolution of A2A Ambiente’s model, which is increasingly focused on playing a leading role in the circular economy sector, supporting manufacturing businesses,” said Elena Maggioni, Head of BD & Transformation, Circular Economy Business Unit, A2A. “A2A’s operational expertise, integrated solutions and nationwide reach, combined with Circular Materials’ technological know-how, will maximise resource recovery and ensure full environmental compliance, generating a positive impact along the entire supply chain.”
“This agreement marks a pivotal step for Circular Materials: from technology start-up to an industrial platform able to help build new strategic supply chains for the recovery of critical raw materials. The launch of our first industrial-scale plant shows that an environmental challenge can be turned into a real resource for European industry. Our collaboration with A2A, which believed in us when we were little more than an idea, gives our growth a long-term industrial vision,” said Marco Bersani, CEO & Co-Founder of Circular Materials.
Compared with conventional treatment, SWaP reduces CO₂ emissions up to 85% for nickel-bearing wastewater, 67% for copper-bearing wastewater and 40% for chromium-bearing wastewater, and avoids the generation of waste sludge from treatment.
The partnership also helps to reduce reliance on virgin resources and dependence on concentrated, geopolitically exposed supply chains, in line with the objectives of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, which aims to strengthen the Union’s capacity by 2030, including through recycling.
Source: A2A Group and Circular Materials (Press Release)
