Project idea: Producing a new raw material to replace nickel compounds deregulated due to health and safety and environmental consequences of its use. Improving the environmental (control of emissions, residues, effluents), health and safety performance of operations throughout the whole life cycle. This project envisages working with businesses in the chemical processing industry to research on alternative raw materials suitable for reuse, recycle and recovery. Further Topic Information: Action a) Sustainable processing and refining of primary and/or secondary raw materials Specific Challenge:  Securing the sustainable access to raw materials, including metals, industrial minerals, wood- and rubber-based, construction and forest-based raw materials, and particularly Critical Raw Materials (CRM), is of high importance for the EU economy. The challenge for industry is to scale up promising raw materials production technologies and to demonstrate that raw materials can be produced in an innovative and sustainable way in order to make sure that research and innovation end up on the market, to strengthen the competitiveness of the European raw materials industries, meet ambitious energy and climate targets for 2030, minimise environmental impacts and risks, and gain the trust of EU citizens in the raw materials sector. This specific challenge addresses the development of "innovative pilot actions", which is one of the major targets of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials Engineering materials and composites are frequently exposed to aggressive and chemically toxic environments with high probability for rapid corrosion and consequence of deterioration and catastrophic degradation. Occasionally new legislation regulates against the use of existing materials necessitating development of new methodologies or new materials to reduce the rate of material corrosion. Recently, an EU risk assessment was set up to investigate nickel and its compounds with regard to the effect it has on human health and environmental impact since it was imported into the EU in volumes exceeding 10 tonnes per year. In February 2007 the five soluble nickel substances (nickel sulphate, chloride, nitrate and carbonate) became classified as category 1 human carcinogens by inhalation and category 2 reproductive toxicants (may cause harm to the unborn child) and chronic toxicant (T; R48-23). Nickel metal became classified as category 3 carcinogen (limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect) and chronic toxicity (T; R48/23). Nickel salts are used in electroplating, ceramics, pigments, and as intermediates (e.g. catalysts, formation of other nickel compounds). Sinter nickel oxide is used in nickel catalysts in the ceramics industry, in the manufacture of alloy steel and stainless steel, in the manu­facture of nickel salts for specialty ceramics, and in the manufacture of nickel–cadmium (Ni–Cd) batteries, and nickel–metal-hydride batteries. Nickel sulphide is used as a catalyst in petroleum industry. The aim of this study is to research on a suitable substitute for nickel compounds which are useful in many ways. The project aims to develop and demonstrate innovative pilots for the clean and sustainable production of non-energy, non-agricultural raw materials in the EU from primary and/or secondary sources finishing at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6-7. The project develop solutions developed through industrially- and  user-driven multidisciplinary consortium covering the relevant value chain which will then be ready for the market uptake. Standardisation activities are also foreseen. Moreover, the consortium will need to develop business plans and an outline of the initial exploitation with clarified management of intellectual property rights and commitment to the first exploitation. The project will be appling a circular economy approach throughout the entire value chain.