About TiBeRIUM
TiBeRIUM pioneers the sustainable extraction of Titanium and Beryllium from Central Asia, securing critical raw materials for Europe's green transition through innovative low-carbon technologies.
Europe's critical raw materials gap
The EU does not produce titanium sponge and relies fully on imports, which cover at least 60% of the EU's consumption of wrought titanium. China produces 45% of the world's titanium, creating significant supply chain vulnerabilities.
For beryllium, the situation is even more critical: Europe relies on imports for over 95% of its needs. Only three entities worldwide (in the US, China, and Kazakhstan) control the entire Be value chain from concentrate to end-products.
Both metals are on the EU Critical Raw Materials list due to their high economic importance and supply risk. TiBeRIUM directly addresses this challenge, aligned with the Critical Raw Materials Act and the European Green Deal.
for Ti sponge
for Beryllium
market share
with full Be value chain
From Resources to Resilience
TiBeRIUM will establish a sustainable, low-carbon supply chain for Titanium and Beryllium by connecting EU technology providers with mineral-rich partners in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, creating mutual value across the entire raw materials value chain.
Supply Security
Diversify Europe's critical raw materials supply by tapping into Kazakhstan's and Uzbekistan's rich Ti and Be mineral deposits through strategic partnerships.
Decarbonized Production
Develop and demonstrate low-carbon extraction and processing technologies that reduce emissions by over 90% compared to conventional methods.
Circular Economy
Close the loop by valorising process by-products into building materials, achieving zero-waste production with multiple commodity extraction.
Nine strategic goals
TiBeRIUM's objectives span the complete innovation cycle: from strategic partnerships and mineral exploration to technology demonstration, product validation, and market deployment.
Strategic Partnership with KZ & UZ
Enhance EU strategic partnerships through five partners from Kazakhstan and two from Uzbekistan for Ti and Be metals supply, including mapping and exploration of ore deposits.
Mine-to-Plant Digital Integration
Optimize Ti and Be extraction processes supported by predictive digital modelling, digital twins, and satellite-based environmental monitoring of mine sites.
Decarbonized Ti & Be Production
Demonstrate hydrogen-based reduction and novel mineral processing technologies that eliminate CO₂ emissions from Ti and Be production.
Upscaled Electrolytic Ti Process
Scale up the novel solid-state electrolysis process for producing oxygen-free Ti metal with inert anodes at the kg electrolyte scale.
Qualify & Validate Ti/Be Alloys
Co-produce and validate Cu-Be, Al-Be, Fe-Ti, and Cu-Ti alloys meeting EN standards with EU-based end-users in electronics and green technologies.
Establish a Clear Business Case
Generate viable business models with process optimization targeting 10% lower prices than current Ti and Be imports from China and the US.
Close the Loop
Valorise process by-products and Ti slag into low-CO₂ building materials compared to cement-based alternatives, achieving circular economy principles.
Life Cycle & Social Impact Assessment
Comprehensive environmental LCA, economic LCC, and social impact assessment of TiBeRIUM processes compared to state-of-the-art production methods.
Dissemination & Knowledge Transfer
Raise awareness through 15+ publications, conferences, workshops, and EIT Raw Materials network reaching over 90% of the raw materials sector.
At a glance
Programme
Horizon Europe · HORIZON-CL4-2025-MATERIALS-01-62
Grant Agreement
No. 101293474
Duration
48 months (4 years)
Coordinator
TU Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), Germany
Consortium
25 partners from 10 countries
Focus
Titanium (Ti) and Beryllium (Be) critical raw materials
Work Packages
TiBeRIUM is organized across 10 work packages covering the full innovation pipeline from project management to market deployment.
Project Coordination & Data Management
Administrative, financial, and technical coordination. FAIR data management.
Environmental Monitoring
Satellite-based monitoring of GHG emissions, soil moisture, and ecosystem impacts.
Reserves Evaluation & Mineral Processing
Ti and Be mineral reserves assessment, extraction, and processing from KZ/UZ.
H₂ Reduction & TiO₂ Slag Refining
Hydrogen reduction of Ti ore and processing of produced slag.
Electrolytic & Aluminothermic Processing
Scale-up for Ti metal, Be metals, and alloys production.
Qualification & Validation
End-product validation by EU-based industrial partners against EN standards.
Closing the Loop & Digitalization
Slag valorisation for building materials and digital twin technologies.
Sustainability & Standardization
LCA, LCC, social impact assessment, and CEN/ISO standardization.
Dissemination & Communication
Publications, events, clustering, and stakeholder engagement.
Business Plan & Innovation Management
Business case, market analysis, IPR, and go-to-market strategy.