Rare earth elements (REE) are key drivers of emerging technologies in several areas (electrical and electronics, medicine, optics, metallurgy, among others), with special relevance in green energies. Due to their strategic and economic importance, REE are recognized as “Critical Raw Materials” by the European Commission due to higher risk of supply chain disruption.
REE supply is limited and controlled by China, which remains the world's main producer and exporter, despite the global high demand. Electronic waste (E-waste) recycling processes to recover REE aims to mitigate this market monopoly by providing an alternative source of critical materials.

N9ve – REE project relies on recovering REE through a low-cost biotechnology process with reduced environmental impact. The vision is a disruptive shift in the way REE are obtained – the concept of urban mining.