Rare Earth Elements (REE) were considered by the European Union as Critical Metals due to the low abundance and their mining exploration, almost exclusively in China.

The main goal of this project is to improve the knowledge on recycling of REE and how it may prevent the dispersion of REE in the aquatic milieu. The project selected among conventional and nonconventional chemical or biological methodologies the best ways to remove REE from various urban and industrial effluents.