As Europe intensifies efforts to secure reliable access to critical raw materials essential for batteries, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, innovative technologies are playing a key role in improving efficiency and sustainability. Finnish company Sensmet is contributing to this shift with its advanced real time metal analysis solutions, now backed by a €1.5 million investment to accelerate deployment and scale.
Backing from Europe’s Raw Materials Innovation Ecosystem
The investment comes from EIT RawMaterials, a leading initiative cofunded by the European Commission focused on securing a sustainable and independent supply of raw materials across Europe.
EIT RawMaterials supports technologies and industrial solutions that enhance access to critical materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements. These resources are essential for the production of batteries, renewable energy systems, and a wide range of advanced technologies.
By supporting Sensmet, the organisation is reinforcing its mission to strengthen Europe’s resilience and competitiveness in global raw material supply chains.
Breakthrough Technology for Real Time Metal Monitoring
At the core of Sensmet’s innovation is its proprietary Micro Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy technology, known as µDOES. This system enables continuous, online multi metal analysis of liquid samples, delivering laboratory grade results in real time.
Traditional methods for analysing metal content often rely on periodic laboratory testing, which can be time consuming and may delay decision making. Sensmet’s technology eliminates this gap by providing immediate insights into metal concentrations within process streams.
This real time capability allows operators to monitor and adjust processes continuously, improving efficiency and ensuring consistent outcomes.
Critical Applications in Battery and Resource Industries
Sensmet’s technology has significant implications for industries involved in the production and recycling of battery materials. Continuous monitoring of metals such as lithium is particularly important as demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems continues to grow.
The system is already being used across various stages of the raw material value chain, including wastewater treatment, battery recycling, lithium production, and fertiliser manufacturing. In each of these applications, accurate and timely data is essential for optimising operations and reducing waste.
By enabling better control over extraction and processing, Sensmet’s solution helps increase metal recovery rates and minimise environmental impact.
Improving Efficiency and Sustainability
One of the key advantages of µDOES technology is its ability to enhance both economic and environmental performance. By providing continuous measurements, the system allows process managers to extract valuable metals more efficiently and reduce losses.
CEO Toni Laurila emphasised that access to real time data transforms how industrial processes are managed. Instead of relying on delayed laboratory results, operators can make immediate adjustments, leading to better resource utilisation and improved product quality.
This capability is particularly important in the context of circular economy initiatives, where maximising resource recovery and minimising waste are critical objectives.
Scaling Technology Across Europe
With the new funding, Sensmet plans to scale up production and deployment of its µDOES online metal analysers. The goal is to expand adoption across industries and strengthen Europe’s ability to manage and secure critical raw materials.
As global competition for these resources intensifies, technologies that improve efficiency and reduce dependency on external supply chains are becoming increasingly valuable.
Supporting Europe’s Resource Independence
Sensmet’s work aligns closely with broader European efforts to build a more sustainable and self sufficient raw materials ecosystem. By enabling more efficient extraction, processing, and recycling of key metals, the company is contributing to a more resilient supply chain.
As industries transition toward cleaner technologies and renewable energy, the demand for critical materials will continue to rise. Solutions like Sensmet’s real time monitoring platform are set to play an important role in ensuring that these materials are sourced and managed responsibly.
With strong institutional backing and a clear path to scale, Sensmet is positioning itself as a key innovator in the future of resource management and industrial efficiency.