Consortium in HUF 1.5 bln red sludge recycling project
Peter Gudella/Shutterstock.com
A Hungarian consortium is working on ways to recycle alumina refinery residues, also known as red sludge, in a HUF 1.5 billion project supported by the European Union, state news wire MTI reported on Tuesday.
(Photo: Peter Gudella/Shutterstock.com)
The R&D project, which runs until 2021, is supported by more than HUF 1 bln in EU funding, said project manager Márton Penk.
The consortium is led by Martin Metals, which recycles byproducts from the aluminum industry. The other members are the University of Pannonia (Veszprém), earthworks and site development services provider Geovol, environmental services consultancy Golder Associates, and applied research institute Bay Zoltán Nonprofit.
More than 50 million tonnes of red sludge are generated in Hungary every year at aluminum industry plants in Ajka (Veszprém County), Almásfüzitő (Komárom-Esztergom County) and Mosonmagyaróvár (Győr-Moson-Sopron County), all in the west of the country, Penk said. The project aims to recover metals and rare earth elements from the sludge that can be used for construction industry materials as well as in biological processes, he added.
The investment carries special significance in Hungary, which suffered one of its worst ever industrial accidents in October 2010 when a waste reservoir containing toxic red sludge in Ajka collapsed, releasing around 1 million cubic meters of liquid waste that flooded nearby settlements, killing ten people. Around 40 square kilometers of land were initially affected, though a quick response and cleanup eventually meant the area enjoyed a full recovery.
Hungary CPI Drop Acknowledged at IMF/World Bank Spring Meeti...
Hungary to Address Future of Cohesion Policy During EU Presi...
AI may Save Hungarian Healthcare, Says Leading Doctor
Time Out Market to Open in Budapest Next Year
SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
