Ceit’s spin-off Metal 78 revolutionizes critical metal recycling with its new plant in Zumárraga

The new facility, based on hydrometallurgical technology developed at Ceit eight years ago, will start operations next January to recover platinum, palladium, and rhodium from catalysts and industrial filters.

With a €12 million investment, the facility will create 40 new jobs and reduce the EU's dependency on external supply, reinforcing its strategic industrial autonomy.

Metal 78, a spin-off from the Ceit technology center, will begin operations in early 2026 at the site of the former ArcelorMittal plant in Zumarraga (Gipuzkoa). The company will launch a disruptive technology for recovering critical precious metals such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh) from end-of-life automotive catalysts and other industrial components.

The process, 100% hydrometallurgical, eliminates the need for extreme temperatures associated with traditional pyrometallurgy and significantly reduces the carbon footprint. Developed by Ceit’s Advanced Manufacturing in Powder Metallurgy group, this technology marks a turning point in critical metal recycling in Europe.

€12 million investment and 40 new jobs

The facility, currently under construction, has received €12 million in funding, including €5 million from the Next Generation EU funds, channelled through the Spanish Government. It will occupy over 6,000 m² within a broader €25 million industrial regeneration plan led by the Basque Government and SPRILUR to transform the former ArcelorMittal site into a hub for innovation and sustainability.

On April 7th, the plant was visited by institutional representatives including José Ignacio Asensio, Gipuzkoa’s Deputy for Sustainability; Josu Bilbao, Deputy Minister for the Environment of the Basque Government; Mikel Serrano, Mayor of Zumarraga; Noemí López, Deputy Representative of the Spanish Government in Gipuzkoa; José Manuel Muriel, CEO of Metal 78; Eduardo Ayesa, Executive President of Ceit; and Antonio González Prada, Director of Technology Transfer at Ceit.

Clean, fast and versatile technology

Ceit’s process, now transferred to Metal 78, is based on three main stages: milling, optimised physico-chemical processing, and final refining. Unlike conventional methods that may require over 100 days, this new process reduces the full recycling cycle to just 10 days, with a 60% reduction in CO₂ emissions and operating temperatures below 200°C.

Moreover, it is the only current technology capable of efficiently and safely processing 100% silicon carbide (SiC) filters, commonly used in fuel cells and petrochemical applications.

Institutional and financial backing

Metal 78 enjoys strong institutional support from the Basque Government, Gipuzkoa’s Provincial Council and the Spanish Government. In December, the company closed an investment round with CDTI Innovación, GEROA and AMPO joining the initial partners: Clave, Gestión Capital Riesgo Gipuzkoa, and Ceit.