Ceit's spin-off, Metal 78, revolutionizes the recycling of critical metals from its new plant in Zumárraga

The new plant, based on a hydrometallurgical technology developed at Ceit more than a decade ago, will start operating next January with the goal of recovering platinum, palladium and rhodium from catalysts and industrial filters.

With an investment by the business of 12 million euros, 40 new jobs will be created, foreign dependence on the European Union will be reduced and its strategic industrial autonomy will be strengthened.

Metal 78, a spin-off of the Ceit technology center, will start operations in early 2026 in Zumárraga (Gipuzkoa), where work has already begun on its future plant. The company is born with a disruptive technological proposal that will allow the recovery of critical metals such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh) from automotive catalysts and other industrial components at the end of their useful life.

The business will apply a 100% hydrometallurgical process that, unlike traditional pyrometallurgy, eliminates the need to operate at extreme temperatures and significantly reduces the carbon footprint. This pioneering technology, which was developed by Ceits Additive Manufacturing and Powder Metallurgy group , represents a new approach to critical metal recycling in Europe.

12 million euros of investment

On April 7, institutional representatives such as the Deputy for Sustainability of Gipuzkoa, José Ignacio Asensio; the Deputy Minister for the Environment of the Basque Government, Josu Bilbao; the Mayor of Zumárraga, Mikel Serrano; and the sub-delegate of the Government of Gipuzkoa, Noemí López, visited the pavilion that will house the plant, accompanied by director General Manager of Metal 78, José Manuel Muriel; the executive president of Ceit, Eduardo Ayesa; and the director of Technology Transfer of Ceit, Antonio González Prada.

With a total investment of 12 million euros, of which 5 million come from the Next Generation European funds, channeled by the Spanish Government, the new plant will occupy more than 6,000 m² and will generate 40 direct work . This infrastructure is part of a comprehensive regeneration project led by the Basque Government, which includes a total investment of 25 million euros to transform this space into an ecosystem of innovation and sustainability.

A cleaner, faster and more versatile process

The process developed by Ceit and transferred to Metal 78 is based on a simple but highly innovative system, composed of three phases: grinding of the material, physical-chemical processing with optimized parameters and final refining to obtain the valuable metals. Unlike pyrometallurgical processes that can require more than 100 days, the complete recycling cycle is reduced to just 10 days, with a 60% reduction in CO₂ emissions and without the need to exceed 200 ºC.

In addition to its efficiency and sustainability, the process stands out for its ability to treat particularly complex industrial waste, such as particulate filters made of silicon carbide (SiC), as well as components from fuel cells or petrochemical applications. It is currently the only technology that allows recycling from 100% SiC waste in an efficient and safe manner.

Financial and institutional support

Metal 78 has the decisive institutional support of the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the Spanish Government. In addition, last December Metal 78 attracted a new round of investment in which CDTI Innovation, GEROA and AMPO participated, joining the initial partners. core topicmanagement Capital Riesgo Gipuzkoa and Ceit.