17 June 2025
Award for Researcher Advancing Greener Copper Recovery
Kateřina Hrůzová, Postdoctral Researcher in Biochemical Process Engineering, has received a prestigious award from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 50th Anniversary Fund for Science, Technology and Environment. The award recognizes her innovative work to make the mining industry more sustainable – using by-products from the forest.
During her PhD studies, Hrůzová developed a novel type of nanoparticle derived from lignin, a natural polymer found in forest biomass residues. These bio-based particles can replace toxic, fossil-derived chemicals in flotation processes, improving both copper recovery and the environmental footprint of mineral processing.
Her project aims to develop tailored lignin-based flotation reagents by studying the interaction mechanisms between minerals, nanoparticles, and bubbles. With support from the fund, the research will be expanded beyond copper ores to also include lead and zinc ores. It will also enable advanced analysis of lignin samples to identify the specific functional groups responsible for its performance in flotation.
"I am deeply honored to have received this award and to have had the opportunity to meet His Majesty the King of Sweden. It was a truly lovely and memorable experience. I am proud that my research has been recognized as important for the future of science, technology, and the environment. I hope that lignin will play a key role in advancing sustainable mining in the years to come.", Kateřina Hrůzová, researcher at Luleå University of Technology
Published:
Updated: